New York City (NYC) Poll * January 18, 2007 * New York City Voters Oppose Co - Quinnipiac University

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January 18, 2007 - New York City Voters Oppose Congestion Pricing 2-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Oppose East River Bridge Tolls More Than 4-1

By a 62 - 31 percent margin, New York City voters oppose congestion pricing, where vehicles are charged a fee to drive into Manhattan below 60th Street during rush hour, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Traffic congestion in New York City is a "very serious" problem, 55 percent of New York City voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll, and 34 percent say it is "somewhat serious."
Only 24 percent of these voters say they usually travel into and out of Manhattan by car, while 67 percent say they use mass transit. Car vs. mass transit use ranges from 18 - 73 percent among Bronx voters to 32 - 56 percent among Staten Island voters.
Voters disagree 49 - 42 percent with the argument that congestion pricing would help the city's economy because traffic wastes billions of dollars a year in wasted time. They split 47 - 47 percent on the argument that congestion pricing is bad for the economy because fewer people will visit Manhattan restaurants and other businesses.
Voters agree by a narrow 48 - 45 percent margin that congestion pricing would improve mass transit because increased demand would lead to increased service.
"Proponents are going to have a hard sell on congestion pricing. But if Mayor Bloomberg weighs in with his 75 - 16 percent approval rating, he does have political capital to spend on tough causes," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"New Yorkers think congestion pricing would hurt - not help - the city's economy. For good measure, they split over the probable effect on subways and buses," Carroll added.
By a 57 - 37 percent margin, New York City voters say congestion pricing would unfairly tax people who live outside Manhattan. Manhattan voters disagree with this argument 55 - 36 percent. Feelings in the other boroughs range from 72 - 23 percent in The Bronx to 55 - 43 percent in Staten Island.
"Manhattan against the other boroughs is a familiar New York theme. On this issue, most think the other four would be taxed unfairly," Carroll said.
Looking at which types of vehicles should be exempt from congestion pricing, New Yorkers say:
53 - 42 percent that cabs should be exempt; 62 - 32 percent that personal vehicles should pay; 70 - 26 percent that limousines should pay; 49 - 45 percent that delivery trucks should be exempt.
Placing tolls on the free East River bridges is a bad idea, New York City voters say 78 - 17 percent. Even Manhattan voters oppose the idea 68 - 22 percent.
"New Yorkers see the free bridges as city streets and don't want to place a price tag on the right to drive," Carroll said.
From January 9 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,013 New York City registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or (203) 582-5201
25. How do you usually travel into and out of Manhattan, by car or mass transit?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Car 24% 28% 21% 28% 28% 19% 18% Mass transit 67 63 69 64 61 71 75 OTHER 7 5 7 5 7 8 6 DK/NA 3 3 3 3 4 2 1 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Car 18% 21% 26% 26% 32% 28% 20% Mass transit 73 72 62 64 56 63 70 OTHER 6 5 9 7 7 6 7 DK/NA 2 2 4 3 5 3 3
TREND: How do you usually travel into and out of Manhattan, by car or mass transit?
Jan 18 Feb 27 Jul 17 2007 2003 2002 Car 24 31 25 Mass transit 67 63 69 OTHER 7 - - DK/NA 3 6 6
26. How much of a problem do you think traffic congestion is in New York City? A very serious problem, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Very serious 55% 46% 59% 58% 57% 54% 57% Smwht serious 34 45 32 31 36 34 27 Not very serious 6 6 6 4 4 6 8 Not at all 2 1 2 6 1 4 4 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Very serious 55% 52% 54% 57% 74% 55% 55% Smwht serious 34 37 34 33 24 34 34 Not very serious 4 6 9 6 1 6 6 Not at all 3 3 2 2 1 3 2 DK/NA 3 3 1 2 - 1 3 Means of travel In/Out of Man How often to Manhattan Car PubTran Weekly Less Very serious 58% 54% 55% 56% Smwht serious 37 34 34 35 Not very serious 4 7 5 5 Not at all 1 3 4 1 DK/NA 1 2 2 3
27. How much have you heard or read about congestion pricing, a plan adopted by some major cities to reduce traffic by charging a fee to drive into congested areas? A lot, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp A lot 17% 17% 16% 21% 19% 13% 19% Some 30 34 30 30 38 24 23 Not much 18 18 19 15 19 20 15 Nothing at all 33 28 33 34 24 43 40 DK/NA 1 2 2 - 1 1 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom A lot 14% 17% 19% 19% 14% 23% 13% Some 31 27 37 26 37 30 30 Not much 16 20 17 18 21 16 20 Nothing at all 38 35 26 36 26 29 36 DK/NA 2 1 1 2 2 1 2
28. Some have suggested using congestion pricing to help relieve traffic in Manhattan during rush hours. In general do you support or oppose charging vehicle owners a fee to drive below 60th street in Manhattan during rush hours?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Support 31% 27% 32% 33% 39% 22% 23% Oppose 62 64 62 61 55 69 67 DK/NA 7 9 6 6 6 8 10 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Support 23% 24% 48% 26% 36% 38% 25% Oppose 69 68 43 68 62 56 66 DK/NA 8 8 9 6 2 6 9 Means of travel In/Out of Man How often to Manhattan Car PubTran Weekly Less Support 26% 34% 29% 22% Oppose 70 59 64 71 DK/NA 4 7 7 7 (INTRO TO QUES 29-32)
Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statements - 29. Congestion pricing would be good for the economy because traffic congestion costs New Yorkers billions of wasted dollars every year.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Agree 42% 42% 40% 43% 43% 34% 46% Disagree 49 46 49 53 46 56 46 DK/NA 10 12 11 4 11 9 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Agree 40% 38% 49% 42% 32% 47% 38% Disagree 51 51 39 49 64 47 50 DK/NA 10 11 11 9 4 7 12
30. Congestion pricing would be bad for the economy because fewer people will come into Manhattan so restaurants and other businesses will loose revenue.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Agree 47% 49% 45% 52% 41% 51% 54% Disagree 47 44 50 45 54 44 42 DK/NA 5 8 4 3 5 5 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Agree 54% 54% 31% 49% 50% 45% 50% Disagree 41 41 61 46 49 52 44 DK/NA 4 5 8 4 1 4 6
31. Congestion pricing would unfairly tax people who live outside of Manhattan.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Agree 57% 56% 58% 55% 51% 61% 60% Disagree 37 39 36 40 43 32 31 DK/NA 7 5 7 5 6 7 8 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Agree 72% 58% 36% 67% 55% 53% 60% Disagree 23 35 55 28 43 42 32 DK/NA 5 7 9 6 2 4 8 Means of travel In/Out of Man How often to Manhattan Car PubTran Weekly Less Agree 62% 55% 63% 65% Disagree 33 39 34 28 DK/NA 5 6 3 8
32. Congestion pricing would improve mass transit because increased demand would lead to increased service.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Agree 48% 50% 48% 48% 51% 44% 45% Disagree 45 43 45 48 42 48 48 DK/NA 7 7 8 4 7 8 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Agree 42% 47% 54% 46% 58% 55% 43% Disagree 51 47 37 46 40 40 49 DK/NA 7 5 9 9 2 6 8 Means of travel In/Out of Man How often to Manhattan Car PubTran Weekly Less Agree 52% 49% 50% 43% Disagree 44 44 45 50 DK/NA 4 7 5 8
(INTRO TO QUES 33-36 Some have suggested that certain vehicles should be exempt from congestion pricing fees. 33. If New York City implemented congestion pricing fees do you think that taxi cabs should be exempt or should they also have to pay?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Exempt 53% 51% 53% 57% 65% 38% 47% Also pay 42 43 43 40 29 56 51 DK/NA 5 6 4 3 5 5 2 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Exempt 40% 49% 60% 55% 69% 57% 50% Also pay 58 47 34 39 29 39 45 DK/NA 2 4 6 7 2 4 5
34. If New York City implemented congestion pricing fees do you think that personal vehicles should be exempt or should they also have to pay?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Exempt 32% 30% 34% 29% 31% 34% 33% Also pay 62 64 60 66 62 61 62 DK/NA 6 7 6 5 7 5 4 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Exempt 30% 36% 24% 35% 35% 31% 33% Also pay 66 58 69 58 61 63 61 DK/NA 4 6 7 7 4 6 6
35. If New York City implemented congestion pricing fees do you think that limousines should be exempt or should they also have to pay?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Exempt 26% 27% 24% 30% 30% 25% 18% Also pay 70 69 72 67 65 71 78 DK/NA 5 4 4 3 5 4 3 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Exempt 19% 29% 23% 26% 34% 30% 22% Also pay 78 68 70 68 64 66 73 DK/NA 3 3 7 6 2 4 5
36. If New York City implemented congestion pricing fees do you think that delivery trucks should be exempt or should they also have to pay?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Exempt 49% 48% 50% 51% 57% 48% 37% Also pay 45 44 45 47 37 49 58 DK/NA 6 8 5 3 6 4 6 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Exempt 46% 49% 48% 50% 56% 52% 47% Also pay 50 46 43 44 42 42 48 DK/NA 3 6 9 5 3 6 6
37. Some people have suggested that New York City should place tolls on the free East River bridges. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Wht Blk Hisp Good idea 17% 17% 18% 14% 19% 13% 15% Bad idea 78 79 77 81 75 84 80 DK/NA 5 5 5 4 6 3 5 Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom Good idea 15% 14% 22% 17% 19% 19% 15% Bad idea 81 84 68 79 81 77 80 DK/NA 4 2 10 5 - 5 5 How often to Manhattan Weekly Less Good idea 17% 13% Bad idea 80 83 DK/NA 3 3
TREND: Some people have suggested that New York City should place tolls on the free East River bridges. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
Jan 18 Feb 27 Mar 28 2007 2003 2002 Good idea 17 31 19 Bad idea 78 65 76 DK/NA 5 4 6
38. (If live outside Manhattan) About how often do you travel into Manhattan would you say --
LIVE OUTSIDE MANHATTAN............................. Tot Brnx Kngs Qns StIsl Men Wom 5 to 7 days a week 32% 38% 33% 28% 28% 38% 27% Several times a week 19 23 20 19 6 21 18 Several times a month 21 17 22 19 38 23 20 Less than that 26 22 24 33 27 17 34 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 2 1 1 Means of travel In/Out of Man Car PubTran 5 to 7 days a week 21% 38% Several times a week 19 20 Several times a month 33 18 Less than that 28 23 DK/NA - 1