I hope you mean for transport of goods. That’s true.
For people, not so much. Come ride Chitcago’s El. Considered one of the most “efficient” public transit systems in the country (after NY and DC I believe), meaning the variable costs are about $8 a ride (vs. the $1.50-$2 people pay, oh and that’s if you assume the capital costs, which are roughly equal to the variable costs, are magically free because they come from the feds).
Specially when you're talking intermodal (containers).
Like you said, for people, not so much. While I truely enjoyed a couple of cross the nation trips on Amtrak, the train was always behind schedule & we're talking days instead of hours.