Transit Poll: the results

Do you think traffic congestion in the Triangle is a problem?

Major problem 52%
Somewhat of a problem 35%
Not a problem 11%

Some people think that the solution to traffic congestion is building and widening more roads. Others believe we ought to develop a variety of transportation options, including roads, regional bus service, and regional rail. Which approach makes more sense to you?

Develop a variety of transportation options, including regional rail 74%
Focus strictly on building and widening more roads 19%
Don't know 7%

It's worth noting that we asked this same question on a survey conducted in April 2006. At that time the margin was 70%-23% on this question, indicating there may be slightly more support for mass transit in the Triangle than there was this time 20 months ago.

Last month Mecklenburg County residents voted to continue a half cent sales tax for mass transit to relieve road congestion. If you thought it would help with traffic congestion, would you support a similar tax for counties in the Triangle?

Yes 55%
No 37%
Don't know 8%

Another way mass transit could be paid for is a $40 per year increase in the vehicle registration fee. If you thought it would help with traffic congestion, would you support an increase in the vehicle registration fee?

Yes 35%
No 58%
Don't know 8%

Another way mass transit could be paid for is an odometer tax at the annual vehicle inspection. Vehicle owners would be charged five dollars for every thousand miles driven in excess of 12,000 miles per year. If you thought it would help with traffic congestion, would you support an odometer tax?

Yes 32%
No 60%
Don't know 8%

Another way mass transit could be paid for is a ten cent increase in the gas tax. If you thought it would help with traffic congestion, would you support an increase in the gas tax?

Yes 21%
No 73%
Don't know 6%

What would be your preferred way of generating new money for mass transit projects in the Triangle; a sales tax increase, a combination of a vehicle registration fee increase and odometer tax, a gas tax increase or do you oppose any new money for mass transit?

Sales tax increase 25%
Vehicle registration fee increase and odometer tax 27%
Gas tax increase 11%
No new money for mass transit projects 29%
Don't know 9%
______________________________________________
What's the bottom line? 63% of respondents are willing to pay more for mass transit. That's a good sign for the Special Transit Advisory Committee, which is working on recommendations for a Regional Transit Vision Plan which will surely need to be funded.

But it's not clear what mode of taxation would be most palatable to Triangle residents, although it does seem that raising the gas tax would not be a popular solution in this time when prices are already high.

It's up to our leaders to come up with a plan that they can get majority public support for- but having the support for transit in place from the public is an important first step- and that appears to be the case from our poll.

Full results here.