Then why make a statement like your first para? The average worker cannot and will not in the foreseeable future be able to pay the real cost of public transport, because they do no earn enough. Therefore it has to be subsidized. Also because the State has to take  responsibilty for its urban planning, even if the present government isn't directly responsible. European solutions won't work here. 

That's also why the Gautrain is failing. It's target market is not the average worker, but the average white collar worker. In addition to moving people around, the other motivation for it was to wean the middle class off their cars, because of pollution, global warming and congestion, particularly between joburg and Pretoria. It's route is determined by its target market. It's turning out to be a tough cookie to crack, convincing the spoilt middle class to make use of it. Nevertheless, Gautrain is efficient, runs on time, is clean and safe, and works exactly like you suggest elsewhere.