I decided to actually go look to see what polls were out there. I've heard folks reference "polls" in general, but I hadn't done that particular bit of research, and I had a few minutes, soooooooooooo:
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The Harris Poll #14, February 8, 2006
This was conducted online by Harris Interactive® between December 8 and 14, 2005.
Americans Would Like to See a Larger Share of Passengers and Freight Going
By Rail in Future
From:
http://www.gatago.com/misc/transport/rail/...as/4118185.html
Key findings include:
The modes of transportation which the largest numbers of adults would like
to see "have an increasing share of passenger transportation" are:
€ Commuter trains (44%)
€ Long-distance trains (35%)
€ Local bus service (23%), and
€ Airlines (23%)
The transportation modes which the smallest numbers of adults would like
to see have a bigger share of passenger traffic are:
€ Long-distance bus service (6%)
€ Pedestrian travel (8%)
€ Long-distance travel by car (10%)
€ Local travel by car (11%), and
€ Travel by bicycle (11%)
Particularly interesting was the shared idea that a National system should be the responsiblity of the FEDERAL Government, not the States:
When it comes to the transportation system "in the nation as a whole," two-thirds (68%) of adults believe this should be a responsibility of the federal government. Relatively few see this as the responsibility of state government (13%), local government (2%) or private companies (8%).
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Look here:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0805-06.htm for THIS:
Published on Monday, August 5, 2002 in the Washington Post
Amtrak Subsidy Support Strong, Survey Shows
Respondents Back More Aid To Increase Rail Service
by Don Phillips and Richard Morin
A total of 1,012 randomly selected adults were interviewed in a national survey, which had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Respondents first were asked:
"The passenger train service Amtrak lost over a billion dollars last year and relies on loans and subsidies from the federal government to keep running. Which of these three options would you favor? 1. End all federal aid to Amtrak, even if it means that passenger train service in some parts of the country will be shut down? 2. Increase federal aid to Amtrak so it can add more trains and routes, even if it means Amtrak might lose even more money? 3. Keep federal aid to Amtrak at current levels."
Fifty-one percent said keep funding at current levels, 20 percent said increase aid, 17 percent said end all aid, and 13 percent answered "don't know."
Those who said keep funding at current levels were then asked another question:
"If you had to choose, are you more inclined to end all federal aid to Amtrak or to increase federal aid to Amtrak?"
Of that group, 58 percent said they leaned toward increased funding, 29 percent said they leaned toward cutting all funding, and 13 percent answered, "don't know."
Respondents identifying themselves as Democrats expressed far stronger sentiments than those identifying themselves as Republicans, although more Republicans supported Amtrak than favored cutting federal subsidies.
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Another is here:
http://www.trainweb.org/kenrail/Survey_says.html“ We were simply overwhelmed by the strong support shown in the survey for more train service,” ...
“It’s no longer ‘if you build it, they will come’. They’re here. Let’s build it.”
APTA survey echoes local support for trains and transit (Spring, 2003) - “Four in five (81 percent) Americans believe that increased investment in public transportation strengthens the economy, creates jobs, reduces traffic congestion and air pollution, and saves energy, according to a new national poll,” says the website of American Public Transportation Association about results disclosed March 12 during its three-day meeting for transit officials in Washington D.C. The phone survey of about one thousand Americans during mid-February was commissioned by APTA. ...
Excite'd about trains (March, 2003)- A daily poll at Excite.com found that a significant fraction of respondents favor train travel in the U.S., by as much as 3-to-1 versus naysayers. ...
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Another is here:
http://www.wisarp.org/BadgerPoll.htm
3385 S. 119th St., West Allis, Wisconsin 53227
Wisconsin Passenger Rail Service Poll
June 18, 2002
More than three out of four Wisconsin residents support a nationwide train network with increased routes, frequencies and shorter travel times, according to results of a major statewide transportation alternatives survey.
As many respondents also said they would use the expanded, fast train service now being planned by nine Midwestern states including Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers (WisARP).
A majority of those surveyed also favored the use of federal funds to improve inter-city rail passenger service, according to the group. ...
“We were simply overwhelmed by the strong support shown in the survey for more train service,” said John Parkyn, Stoddard, WI, WisARP president. “These are amazing numbers, and are evidence that the state’s efforts to improve passenger rail service in Wisconsin are consistent with what the public wants.
“The public is saying it wants more trains and faster trains, and is willing to help pay for them.
“It’s no longer ‘if you build it, they will come’. They’re here. Let’s build it.”
Parkyn said the survey, which was conducted over a week-and-a-half ending in mid-February, took place as the future of Amtrak and the need for a nationwide rail passenger service was being debated by Congress, and as Wisconsin state government wrestled with its most serious financial crisis ever. Neither issue is yet resolved.
“Our concern was that one or both of those factors might depress support for passenger train expansion in the survey,” said Parkyn. “That concern appears to have been groundless.”
Parkyn said support for both a national and regional passenger train network was strong throughout the state. Overall, 77% statewide favored a national network, with only 15.8% opposed.
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Next:
http://www.usmayors.org/69thWinterMeeting/poll.pdf
This one is from a conference of mayors, so it is looking at it from a more local and commuter point-of-view, but the support for rail, including inter-city rail, is still strong in it.
This telephone survey was conducted from December 19 28, 2000, among 1013
randomly selected registered voters.
Highlights of the poll appear below:
* The vast majority of respondents (80%) said they supported the idea of building light rail and commuter rail systems serving cities, suburbs, and entire regions to give them the option of not driving their cars. Only 16% opposed.
* 68% of Americans said spending public funds to build or improve rail systems to reduce traffic congestion was a "convincing reason" to invest in a passenger rail network.
* 69% said they "favor" and 41% said they "strongly favor" creating high-speed train service to serve their communities and provide connections between major population areas. And, an overwhelming majority (87%) said they believe the United States Government currently possesses the resources to build a high-speed rail system.
* Respondents believe that if more roads are built, more people will drive. 66% said they do not think that traffic congestion will be eased if more roads are built. The majority (58%) "disagree" and 40% "strongly disagree" that imposing tolls on highways is a fair and efficient way to relieve traffic congestion.
* A large majority of respondents (68%) believe if no new transportation alternatives are offered during the next five-to-ten years, traffic conditions will worsen.
* Not surprisingly, traffic congestion and commuting remain a serious concern, especially in the metro areas of the West and South. The vast majority of people believe that traffic congestion has worsened nationwide, with 58% of people "strongly agreeing" with this statement and 89% in agreement overall.
* When asked if traffic had gotten better, worse, or stayed the same in their areas over the past five years, 79% said conditions have gotten worse, while only 6% think things have improved. One out of two respondents not only believe that traffic has worsened, but believe that it is currently "much worse" than it was five years ago.
* Only 14% think that their commute has improved while 41% say that it has gotten worse. One likely reason that commuting has worsened is that access to public transportation has not significantly improved, while traffic has increased. Only 33% of respondents claim that they have better access to public transportation than five years ago, while 38% say things have stayed the same.
* When asked whether, "during the election campaign that recently ended, the candidates for President, Senate, or Congress gave attention to issues affecting quality of life, such as traffic, affordable housing, or urban sprawl," an overwhelming 72% believe that the candidates paid either "a little attention" or "no attention at all" to these quality of life issues.
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Next,
http://www.aprc.org/gov_support.htm
... A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, conducted June 21-23, 2002, asked 1,020 adults if the federal government should continue to fund Amtrak or stop funding Amtrak. Their response: 70% support continued federal funding of Amtrak; 27% prefer to end federal funding and 3% have no opinion.
70% favor continued government funding of Amtrak
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I got tired at this point, and it was time for the weekly online chat. There are a number of other poll info sources out there if anybody wants to continue.
Bottom line: The U.S. Public wants passenger rail transportation, and it should be funded and organized at the Federal level.
Congress seems to have been listening to the people more than the White House has. That is fact, not a rant. If you don't want to keep seeing it, then get the politicians to change it.
