Why don't companies reply to applicants?

I am unemployed and have been searching for jobs for a long time. I find that in the majority of cases the company will not contact me and even thank me for my application. It is worse then when i get to interview, pay to get a new haircut, get new interview clothes, prepare my portfolio and reprint new work, pay the train / bus fare (i am looking for a graphic design position) I just find it so rude and heartbreaking in this recession that people leave me hanging. Going to interview costs money and I get my hopes up that I might have a chance of getting a job (unemployed for 12 months since I graduated last May) Why do companies do this? In this day and age cant they just send an email to unsuccessful applicants.