Most support ‘congestion charge’ for motorists: poll

A new poll suggests GTA residents would prefer to see politicians follow London, England’s lead when it comes to reducing gridlock.

The results of a recent Angus Reid poll show more than half of the 1,001 respondents believe a “congestion charge”, similar to the one first implemented in London in 2003, would be the best way to fund public transit projects.

The charge applies to vehicles entering certain parts of the city during peak times.

The “congestion charge” was the most popular proposed fee for motorists—55 per cent of those surveyed supported the idea, while 38 per cent opposed it.

When it comes to finding ways to fund public transit, only 19 per cent of those surveyed said they’d support a 10 per cent gas tax, 26 per cent supported a one per cent increase to the sales tax and 37 per cent backed the idea of placing tolls on roads and highways.

The online survey, conducted between Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 per cent, also shows there’s a big divide of opinion on the quality of public transit in the GTA.

Just over half—54 per cent—rate transit as good, while 40 per cent describe its state as poor.

Two in five, or 45 per cent, of respondents think transit has declined over the past decade, while 28 per cent think it has improved.

Only a third of respondents have an optimistic view of transit in the future with 32 per cent envisioning improved service in the next five years. Forty-one per cent saw it improving within a decade.

The poll also looked at what it would take to get drivers out of their cars. Sixty-five per cent said they’d use public transit if it shaved 30 minutes off of their commute.

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