In the case of the NY subway, it would cost a poor person receiving subsidized fare about $2.20/day to do their part, or about 9 minutes of work at minimum wage. It is not a crime to ask a person to participate in their own survival.
That's not true in NYC, food service workers have a minimum wage of $15. other groups you're thinking of also have minimum wages (i.e. door dash drivers)
the labor force participation percentage is a slight of hand. You're including children (who receive free metro cards), retirees (including social security beneficiaries, pensions), and people who might just be rich. 40% has nothing to do with people's ability to make or have money.
What highly rarefied air source are you pulling that number from?
The 7-day MetroCard (for unlimited rides) costs $34, which comes out to $4.85 per day, or $6.80 per working day -- closer to 40 min of work per day (after taxes).
Mind you these people are likely paying half their income on rent at that wage, and a very significant chunk of what's left just on food and other necessities.
In other words - 4x your estimate. (BTW if you work 40 hours per week, or even 25 per week you do not qualify for the subsidized fares program).
This is real money to them. If you don't understand this (or you do in principle, but can't be bothered to get your math ballpark correct) then you have no business chiding them for not pulling their weight.
