Raleigh has a bus system, does it not? Its parts of NYC the subway doesn't reach and there's only buses as the only way of getting around if you don't have a car.
I looked into living in Raleigh and that would be my main way of getting around is riding the bus.
most cities with a high population have one, but that doesn't mean u don't need a car
if the bus system is resulting in a 15 minute trip being 2-3 hours, then u need a car. u have a limited amount of hours in the day & u can't spend all day riding buses
some jobs won't even hire workers in these cities without their own transportation because public transport is too slow/unreliable