Poll: Massachusetts Drivers Would Trade Gas Tax for More Tolls

Many folks have become weary of polls hyped by the media. Looking back at the last few national elections, the pollsters got it all wrong. How can you trust polls?

Have you ever wondered who is polled and why no one asked for your views?

Poll results are a snapshot of the moment and can change quickly. Pollsters can often get the results they seek by wording a question a certain way and asking people who will give them the answers they seek.

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With that in mind, I present a new poll by MassINC Polling Group, which suggests the majority of Massachusetts residents would happily trade the state's 24 cents per gallon gasoline tax for new tolls and fees.

The poll was conducted on behalf of Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA), "a statewide coalition advocating for equitable and accessible transportation in Massachusetts."

The survey found, among other things, that 52 percent would replace the state's gas tax with additional tolls and 51 percent with a milage-based fee.

It also found that "57% support increasing vehicle registration fees based on weight, acknowledging that heavier cars cause more road damage and pose greater risks in crashes."

Fewer than half of the respondents, 48%, support studying a New York-style congestion pricing plan for the Boston area.

T4MA's Executive Director for Transportation in Massachusetts, Reggie Ramos, says, "The reality is we cannot take for granted that the federal dollars we've relied on will always be there."

"Massachusetts must strengthen its commitment to long-term transportation funding," Ramos said.

Government officials fear that with more energy-efficient vehicles and a change to electric vehicles, revenues from the traditional gas tax will shrink.