It's especially dumb to clown on someone for being broke when you are both riding the subway.
Even Wall Street fat cats, doctors, lawyers, software engineers use the subway. Just the way it is. NYC isn't really a car culture.
Came here to say this. Seen 7-figure and up earners from work on my commute. Using the train means nothing. For New Yorkers it's more about neighborhood, commute length and (assuming you live far in a so-so area) whether those were voluntary choices or you're financially stuck in that situation.