As long as the focus is wrong: Yes. In Germany the Pendlerpauschale (a tax rebate when you live a long distance for your workplace) costs the state 2.2 billion Euros a year, Diesel is still taxed less than petrol, another 8.5 billion and there's a tax privilege for company cars in a mix-private use which costs 1.8 billion. There's plenty of money to pay bus/tram driver more and build more lines.

One thing most forget: Travel and transportation that is car-focused ignores those who can't yet/anymore operate a car. Better public transport allows you granny to travel easier as well as your children.

I seem to have not make my point clear enough:

You can't persuade people using money, at least not the kind of money cities can afford, as there are plenty of equally paid, less stressful and more interesting things to do with your life.

In my city of 600k inhabitants there's a shortage of around 100 drivers - and that's just to service the lines that are currently operating. That's approximately 80k people not having their transportation needs met.

The city is also cripplingly congested, but that's expected when you can't rely on public transportation.

We need a solution that doesn't rely on demographics like they were in the 60s or even 80s.