Tolls or Taxes?
Posted on Fri, Dec 30, 2011 @ 10:43 AM
A recent Reason-Rupe Transportation Poll surveying over 1,000 Americans found that people would rather pay higher tolls than more gas taxes. With the federal gas tax currently at 18.4 cents a gallon, citizens have started to question how exactly the government is spending this revenue intended for highways and transit.
Seventy-seven percent of respondents accurately reflected this controversial concern through strongly opposing a raise in the gas tax. Additionally, fifty-eight percent expressed their opinion that Americans should be paying for new lanes, highways, and infrastructure improvements via toll revenue versus a tax increase.
Another mutual motivator in these numbers is the interest in time. Fifty-nine percent favored a new toll lane or road with the interest of spending their money to save their time. This also reveals the common interest and value associated with traffic avoidance. If people are going to pay more, they would rather see results by reducing their vehicle hassle.
Here is the comprehensive response for raising the federal gas tax:
- Strongly Favor 8%
- Somewhat Favor 11%
- Somewhat Oppose 21%
- Strongly Oppose 56%
- Don't Know/No Opinion 4%
- Total 100%
- Net Favor 19%
- Net Oppose 77%
For complete survey results, click here to open the Reason Rupe Public Opinion Survey.