North Texas Public Opinion Survey
Local Option Transportation Act

Executive Summary
February 18, 2009

PART 1. METHODOLOGY

• A public opinion poll was conducted between January 24h and January 28th, 2009 among 1,600 residents of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson and Tarrant counties.
• Respondents were considered both registered and likely to vote.
• Respondents were selected randomly and the sample was stratified by gender. At a .95 confidence level, the survey carries with it a +/- 2.45% margin of error.
• We share with you an executive summary of the results.

PART 2. PEOPLE AGREE A PROBLEM EXISTS: CONGESTION & AIR QUALITY ARE SERIOUS ISSUES

Traffic Congestion and Air Quality Pose a Serious Threat to Citizens Quality of Life

• Survey respondents cited traffic congestion as the most serious issue facing the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with 65% of participants describing it as a serious issue.
• This conclusion is consistent with the fact 75% of respondents stated they drive a car alone as their primary mode of transportation to work, while only 1% use a passenger rail or light rail. Moreover, 37% of individuals spend more than one hour in traffic on a daily basis.
• Following traffic congestion in significance was air pollution, cited by 56% survey respondents as serious.
• Lastly, 45% of individuals asserted “The lack of a regional commuter rail system in Dallas-Ft. Worth” was a serious or very serious issue.

Perception of Traffic Congestion & Air Quality

• An overwhelming majority believe there is a direct link between traffic congestion and air quality, with 75% of survey participants agreeing with the statement, “Traffic congestion pollutes the air and wastes non-renewable energy sources.”
• Additionally, 68% of respondents agree, “Clean air in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area is a critical component for the region’s quality of life and good health.”
• Consistent with the belief traffic congestion is the most serious issue facing DFW, participants believe congestion impacts social and psychological prosperity with 65% agreeing, “Sitting in traffic takes time away from our families and is hurting our quality of life.”
• Moreover, 55% agree “Traffic congestion negatively impacts our economy by slowing the delivery of goods and services.”
• More than half of survey participants agree, “Solving our transportation problem here in North Texas is equally important as other issues like education, taxes, and healthcare.”

PART 3. PEOPLE AGREE ON A SOLUTION: REGIONAL COMMUTER RAIL

More Commuter Trains: Preferred Method for Reducing Traffic and Air Pollution Which of the following transportation methods would be most effective in reducing traffic congestion and air pollution?

• More commuter trains 57%
• More carpool lanes 10%
• More freeways 9%
• More buses 8%

Awareness

• 44% of survey respondents were currently aware of a proposal to create a regional passenger rail system in North Texas.

Strong Support for the Passenger Rail Proposal

• Respondents were read the following passage describing the commuter rail initiative:

The rail system being proposed for the Metroplex would use nine existing freight rail corridors to build over 200 miles of tracks connecting downtown Dallas and Fort Worth with suburban cities like Denton, Frisco, Mansfield, Arlington, Carrolton, McKinney, Wylie, Garland, Burleson, Midlothian, and Irving – just to name a few. The system will also tie into DFW Airport, plus it will connect with the existing DART light rail lines and the soon to be completed Denton County rail line. The trains are modern, air conditioned coach rider cars which can travel up to 45 miles an hour and offers internet service, comfortable chairs and tables where you can work or relax. The system will operate throughout the day with more trains running during the peak rush hour travel times, and has stops at strategic locations every two to four miles.

• After providing this additional information 85% of survey respondents favored the Passenger Rail proposal (56% Strongly Favor, 29% Somewhat Favor), while and only 11% opposed it (6% Strongly Oppose, 5% Somewhat Oppose).
• Additional statements voters found persuasive include:

	Persuasive	Not Persuasive
It will connect people to major facilities such as DFW Airport, Love Field, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, American Airlines Center, Texas Motor Speedway as well as major regional hospitals.	76%	11%
A regional passenger rail system will reduce traffic congestion and promote better air quality.	71	13
It will save commuters money they would otherwise spend for gasoline and the maintenance and repair of their automobiles.	68	14
We need a rail system in order to keep pace with other metropolitan areas, to attract better jobs and new employers to our area, and to compete for special events like the Super Bowl.	63	20

• Lastly, respondents were asked, “If you knew that cars and trucks contribute over 50% of the pollution in the Metroplex would you be much more likely, more likely, less likely or much less likely to support this passenger rail system proposal?” Consistent with earlier responses indicating the importance of air quality, 80% of all respondents said they would be more likely to support the passenger rail proposal.

PART 4. PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE ON TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Strong Support for Giving Citizens the Right to Vote on the Rail Proposal

• Regardless of the funding source, 90% of survey participants believe taxpayers should be given the right to vote to approve funding while only 8% prefer the State Legislature make the decision and enact the funding mechanism directly into law.
• An overwhelming 89% support the state legislature passing a law that would require voter approval – through local elections – to create and fund this passenger rail system.
• Furthermore, participants did not interpret a “yes” vote by their State Representative on this new law to mean a vote for higher taxes, rather, 81% of respondents believed a “yes” vote indicated a vote to allow citizens to make a decision regarding their taxes.
• Individuals were then asked the persuasiveness of statements in getting them to support the North Texas passenger rail system. The most persuasive statement involved the right to vote on the project. 80% of all respondents found the following statement most persuasive: “You will have the right to vote on this passenger rail proposal, and any taxes or fees must be approved by voters at a public election before it is implemented.”

PART 5. PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY REASONABLE AMOUNTS TO FUND IMPROVEMENTS

Funding

• Survey participants were asked how much they would be willing to pay each year in higher fees or taxes in order to finance the proposed regional rail system. 50% of respondents stated they would be willing to spend $50 to $75 annually to fund the project. 35% said they would pay less than $50.
• 85% of all respondents agreed with the following statement: “The cost of building an effective passenger rail system, even if it costs my family an extra $50 each year, is worth it to reduce traffic, create alternative modes of getting to work, and improve air quality.”
• Survey respondents selected Driver License Fees and Vehicle Registration Fees as two of their top three choices to fund the rail proposal.
• When asked where the funding should come from, a majority of respondents believed it should come from user fees aimed at people who drive cars, rather than traditional funding sources such as property taxes.
• 52% agreed that this rail proposal should be funded with fees aimed at people who drive cars, such as vehicle registration and driver license fees.
• 53% stated they would be willing to pay a 3-5 cent per gallon gas tax to fund the project, and 63% said they would pay $50 or more in new driver license fees.

CONCLUSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

• An overwhelming majority of North Texas voters believe traffic congestion and air pollution pose a serious threat to their quality of life.
• A strong majority view rail as the most effective method to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution
• After being read a brief description of the proposed passenger rail system, North Texas voters favor it overwhelmingly
• Respondents strongly support giving taxpayers the right to vote on the rail proposal
• A driver license fee increase and a vehicle registration fee increase are top choices to help pay for the cost of a rail system
• Respondents do not view the proposal as an increase in taxes - they consider it the right to vote on the transportation system they want to create.