What do Americans Think About Federal Tax Options to Support Public Transit, Highways, and Local Streets and Roads? Results from Year 3 of a National Survey

A national random-digit-dial public opinion poll asked about support for various tax options for raising federal transportation revenues, with a special focus on understanding support for increasing revenues for public transit. Eleven specific tax options were presented. Information was used to assess support levels for the tax options among different population subgroups. The survey results show that a majority of Americans would support higher taxes for transportation under certain conditions. A gas tax increase of 10¢ per gallon to improve road maintenance was supported by 58 percent of respondents; support dropped to just 20 percent for more general maintenance and improvement of the transportation system. Sales taxes are much more popular than either a gas tax increase or a new mileage tax. Survey results from all three years show that while most people want good public transit service in their state there are relatively low levels of support for measures to raise revenue for it. Large minorities of respondents did not know that all levels of government support transit, with the federal government the least recognized source of support.