Research Conducted for APTA
February 2004
Methodology
One thousand interviews were conducted with adults 18 years of age and
older living in the continental United States February 20 - 23, 2004. Interviews
were stratified and weighted by gender, region, ethnicity, and education
to reflect population characteristics.
Random samples such as this yield results projectable to the entire population
of adults living in the continental United States within + 3.1 percentage
points in 95 out of 100 cases.
Highlights
Almost all Americans – nine in ten – say that it is important
for Congress to pass a bill immediately to enhance the transportation infrastructure.
A plurality of adults see quality of life benefits arising from increased
investment in public transportation and fully four-in-five (80%) agree that
increased public investment in public transportation would strengthen the
economy, create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and save
energy.
A majority (52%) prefer transportation investment over tax cuts to stimulate
the economy.
Three-quarters (76%) support the use of public funds for the expansion
and improvement of public transportation, regardless of where they live.
This support remains strong even if the large federal budget is referenced.
The rural divide is diminishing and a majority of rural (67%) and small
town (76%) residents voice support for public transportation options and
funding in their communities (urban 78%; suburban 68%). A more detailed
review of all the questions split by geography can be found in the Appendix.
Most Americans, even those living in rural areas of the country, agree
that their community needs more public transportation options.
Two-thirds (69%) of the population express support for candidates supporting
public transportation and said they would be more likely to support a candidate
for Congress who supports improving public transportation options.
Detailed Findings
Americans want transportation legislation passed immediately
If you knew that Congress has a chance right now to pass
a bill that would ease traffic congestion, create millions of new jobs, repair
roads and bridges, increase transit routes, and generate a 6-to-1 economic
return for your state, what level of importance would you place on this legislation
…
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Americans see quality of life benefits from increased
investment in public transportation
Increased public investment in public transportation would
strengthen the economy, create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution,
and reduce energy consumption.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Americans support public funds for the expansion and
improvement of public transportation
Do you support or oppose increasing public funding for
the expansion and improvement of public transportation services as a means
of creating jobs, increasing mobility, reducing traffic congestion and spurring
positive economic activity?
Even if the large federal deficit is mentioned …
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Transportation investment is preferred over tax cuts
to stimulate the economy
Which do you think is more effective in stimulating the
nation’s economy – tax cuts or government investment in improvements
to the country’s transportation infrastructure that would create more
jobs, provide more options, reduce traffic congestion and save energy?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
A majority feel a need for transportation options
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
My community needs more transportation options such as
increased commuter rail service, light rail, busses, trolleys, demand response
vehicles, bike trails and sidewalks.
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Two-thirds support pro-public transportation candidates
Would you be more likely or less likely to support a
candidate for Congress if he or she were a supporter of improving public transportation
options, including expanding public transportation or rail service in your
area?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Appendix
Support for transportation legislation is strong across
all regions of the country
If you knew that Congress has a chance right now to pass
a bill that would ease traffic congestion, create millions of new jobs, repair
roads and bridges, increase transit routes, and generate a 6-to-1 economic
return for your state, what level of importance would you place on this legislation
…
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
All locales recognize quality of life benefits from public
transportation
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Increased public investment in public transportation
would strengthen the economy, create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and air
pollution, and reduce energy consumption.
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Support for public funding increases for transit is strong
in all areas of the country
Do you support or oppose increasing public funding for
the expansion and improvement of public transportation services as a means
of creating jobs, increasing mobility, reducing traffic congestion and spurring
positive economic activity?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Americans in all geographic regions prefer investment
in the transportation infrastructure
Which do you think is more effective in stimulating the
nation’s economy – tax cuts or government investment in improvements
to the country’s transportation infrastructure that would create more
jobs, provide more options, reduce traffic congestion and save energy?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
Across all of America there is a need for transportation
options
Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
My community needs more transportation options such as
increased commuter rail service, light rail, busses, trolleys, demand response
vehicles, bike trails and sidewalks.
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National Quorum. N=1000
adults
A majority of Americans all across the country are more
likely to support candidates favorable to transit
Would you be more likely or less likely to support a
candidate for Congress if he or she were a supporter of improving public transportation
options, including expanding public transportation or rail service in your
area?
Source: Wirthlin Worldwide February National
Quorum. N=1000 adults
Some of these pages may include links to documents in the Adobe PDF format. Please download the Adobe PDF reader if you have not already done so.
