Crumbling Infrastructure

(I originally posted this in the Politics forum, but it hasn't stimulated any response, so a blog it becomes!)

As some of you might know, my significant other is from Barcelona, Spain.  I have been very lucky to visit the city many times, and each time I am amazed by its public transit.  Many people don't own cars.  It's one euro for a metro/bus fare, flat - no zoning like London or Madrid.  One euro makes TTC's 2.75 look exorbitant.