As a resident, I just use a monthly pass and it’s cheaper than when I had a car and the insurance, gas, and maintenance in a lower cost of living area.
Sure, the MTA isn’t perfect, but you can access a lot of the city through the trains and buses. If you’ve ever driven in the city it can be a lot worse when you include parking. If we were to convert buildings into parking, you would end up with a ton of sprawl and a less walkable city.