Most New Yorkers Oppose Congestion Pricing: Poll

Photo by Midweekpost via Flickr

While 89 percent of New Yorkers say traffic congestion is a "very" or "somewhat serious" problem in the city, 57 percent of the same people polled by Quinnipiac University are opposed to congestion pricing.

But when asked if they would support congestion pricing if the money collected were used to stave off mass transit fare hikes and bridge and tunnel toll increases, 57 percent of the New York City voters polled said they would.

"Congestion pricing is a bad idea, most New Yorkers say, unless politicians use the proceeds to prevent transit-fare increases. Then a majority support the idea," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute in a press release.

Manhattan was the only borough were congestion pricing had majority support.

Borough Brnx Kngs Man Qns StIsl Men Wom

Support 21% 34% 54% 30% 39% 40% 32%
Oppose 74% 60% 36% 61% 56% 54% 59%
---N/A- 5% 6% 10 % 9% 5% 6% 9%

When Runnin' Scared wrote about congestion pricing in July, the outer borough contempt for congestion pricing was reflected in many reader comments.

Posted by: Disgusted in Staten Island at July 19, 2007 4:38 PM:

This is terrible. This shows Spitzer's contempt for people who live in the Outer Boroughs. The congestion tax will make already overcrowed express buses and subways even more miserable. Even worse, Bloomberg will give away the money from this to his rich friends, like he is constantly doing with taxpayer and transit rider money. This is a scam and a vicious attack against the middle class. Bloomberg and Spitzer should be ashamed of themselves.

Other commenters, who did not name their borough of residence, supported congestion pricing.

Posted by: Mark at July 20, 2007 6:01 PM:

Referring to congestion pricing as a tax is misguided at best and a deliberate lie at worst. Subway and bus riders pay every day -- they're called fares. Drivers need to learn that you are not a special class with special privileges. If transit riders have to pay, why should drivers be any different? I'd laugh if your fumes weren't interfering with my breathing.

Read the full results of the Quinnipiac poll.