When asked to name the single most important problem facing them daily, regional commuters cite rising gasoline prices over healthcare or taxes. Gas costs are a factor not only in household budgets, but in job choices, although few regional employers help workers with the problem.

A poll just conducted by Commuter Services of South Central Pennsylvania reveals rarely seen nearly unanimous or overwhelming agreement on several issues related to gasoline costs and traffic congestion.

When it comes to battling traffic congestion, commuter alternatives (such as carpools and transit) get very strong public support over options like highway construction.

Many who drive alone would switch if they had more options, could overcome barriers or knew of resources, such as the region’s Commuter Services programs. There is a hard core minority, however, who would not switch no matter what.

The poll reveals widespread support for more alternatives, as well as for investment of public dollars to promote them.

This is the first such public opinion poll on these issues in the region, which includes Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties, where Commuter Services provides its free congestion reduction programs.

Asked about their most important household problem, 17 percent say it is gas and energy prices, which is mentioned twice as much as either healthcare or economic issues and three times as often as taxes. When asked to rate their level of concern, 97 percent say they are very or somewhat concerned about the increase in gasoline costs.

Four families out of 10 make sacrifices in other household necessities to meet the rising cost of their commute. Nearly 30 percent said that the rising gas cost has a significant impact, with 45 percent reporting a moderate impact.

More than 7 out of 10 responders (71 percent) say it is good public policy for government to invest in programs that promote commuter options.

The survey reveals little regional support for new highways as an alternative to address traffic congestion.

Nearly 90 percent are very or somewhat concerned about the increase in traffic congestion, but they don’t prefer more roads to solve the problem. A whopping 92 percent think it is somewhat or very important to provide buses, light rail or train service to alleviate congestion, cut gas consumption and help the environment.

Increasing mass transit (favored by 54 percent) and promoting more use of commute options (favored by 47 percent) as solutions rank well above building new roads (14 percent) and expanding existing ones (34 percent). Only one in 10 favors a solution such as dedicated carpool lanes.

There is a hard core of commuters (up to 40 percent) who would not consider alternatives, but the rest are open to options with some help.

In the poll, 85 percent said they drive alone. The majority interested in other options report major barriers: not having someone with whom to carpool (mentioned by 36 percent), no transit/train service (27 percent), along with shift work and unpredictable work schedules (20 percent).

Half of those polled would be more likely to use an alternative if they had a free, guaranteed ride home in emergencies, which Commuter Services already offers along with a confidential ridematching database.

If they were to switch, nearly half of the people are interested in carpooling with 19 percent preferring transit and 24 percent wanting to use a train. The latter two preferences may be relatively equal given the survey’s 4 percent margin of error.

Six in 10 people see the need for express bus service from their area to another town.

Four in 10 of those polled prefer the freedom and convenience of driving alone no matter how long the commute, its cost or consequences on the environment.

For more information, visit the Commuter Services of South Central Pennsylvania website or call 1-866-579-RIDE.

11/23/2007