In a Quinnipiac University poll released on March 13, 2008, New Yorkers, yet again, have not been duped by the pro-tax argument that drivers must be taxed out of existence in order to improve mass transit.
Unsurprisingly, the opposition against congestion pricing, which historically in past Q polls hovers around 60% citywide, is at 56%. In the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, opposition is over 60% still.
All racial/ethnic groups oppose it; whites are the lowest at 52% opposition, Hispanics at 61%, and blacks at a whopping 68%! Women oppose it at 59%, compared to men at 52%. So much for the pro-tax crowd’s deceptive advertising at bus stops and subways.
New Yorkers generally only show approval for the tax if it were used to improve mass transit, but at the same time, 54% don’t believe that they will see any improvements in mass transit after the tax is draining money out of their family’s pockets. Nor should they, since the MTA wants the revenue for its Capital Plan–none of which offers those who are most reliant on a car for their commute any improvements that will be both cost-effective and time-efficient alternatives to driving. The Commission’s recommendation explicitly advised against using the revenue to avert fare hikes and cover the MTA’s annual expense budget.
Think of the MTA’s preference for Congestion Tax revenues after it just hiked mass transit fares and tolls at bridges and tunnels. And it still wants more!
Just as a reminder, London’s tax didn’t improve traffic delays, and they are paying more (about $4,000 more a year) for the same congestion they experienced 6 years ago. Stockholm and London both increased mass transit fares after the tax went into effect.
Why exactly does anyone want this thing again?