THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 17, 2020 Page 3 Survey shows people will pay for better transportation R By Barbara Taormina esidents in Malden and surrounding communities support higher taxes, tolls and new fees to fund improvements in transportation. Those are just some of the surprising, if not shocking, results of an online survey on commuting and transportation conducted by State Senator Jason Lewis and his staff from Dec. 18 through Jan. 8. The survey drew 790 respondents, 95 percent of whom were from Lewis’s 5th Middlesex District, which includes Malden, Melrose, Reading Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester. The survey, which was not meant to be statistically significant, was conducted to give Lewis some direct feedback on regional transportation from constituents as the Legislature explores new ideas and options. Among those who participated in the survey, 72 percent said driving alone is a regular mode of transportation, 53 percent take the subway, 31 percent take buses and 14 percent ride a bike. Public transportation received average to low marks with 42 percent describing the state’s subways, trains, buses and ferries as fair and 44 percent rating those systems as poor. Another 10 percent said the state’s public transportation was good. As for why people don’t use public transportation, 57 percent said service isn’t frequent enough; 56 percent feel it isn’t reliable; 51 percent said it doesn’t reach their desired destination. Another 16 percent described public transportation as too expensive while 8 percent felt it was unsafe. Among the participants, 89 percent said improving bus, subway and train service should be a priority for state government; 77 percent want lawmakers to focus on reducing traffic congestion; 66 percent said reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a key concern; and 59 percent feel improvements to highways, roads and bridges should be high on the state’s to-do list. Another 52 percent feel more emphasis should be placed on improving sidewalks, bike lanes and other multiuse paths for pedestrians and cyclists. By far the most surprising responses to the survey were to proposals for raising revenue to invest in transportation. A five cent per gallon hike in the state’s gas tax was supported by 61 percent of the participants while 51 percent favored a 15 cent per gallon increase. Another 46 percent liked the idea of placing tolls on highways, 60 percent favored higher fees on ride sharing trips, and 56 percent said implementing congestion pricing is worth pursuing. Lewis also shared some of the comments from participants that reflected common themes. “I want to see an influx of funding (tax me) for public transit and I think people who insist on driving should be partially funding that solution,” suggested one individual. Another participant who felt the gas tax was a good idea because it offers an incentive to burn less fuel acknowledged that it would hurt poor people who drive more. Yet another participant suggested higher gas taxes and tolls could be counterbalanced by reducing income taxes on low-income citizens. Lewis is planning a community conversation to review the survey results and discuss solutions for the region’s transportation challenges. Anyone who isn’t on board with the 80 percent of survey participants who want higher taxes, tolls and fees may want to watch for that event and take advantage of the AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready! 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