The new Civitas Institute statewide poll is out and it shows scant support for train building across the state. The DecisionMaker poll of 800 North Carolina registered voters finds that building light rail lines is not a high priority for state transportation dollars.
“Do you think highway user fees, such as gas tax, car tags and vehicle sales tax, should be used for light rail in Charlotte and Raleigh?”
61 percent say NO, and 24 percent say YES, with 15 unsure.
Further when asked, “Do you think light rail service in metropolitan areas should be funded by the state or by County and Municipal governments?” the answers also point away from state-funding, with 45 percent saying local governments should pay for light rail and 35 percent saying the state.
And in a bit of a surprise, 56 percent of those polled favor using tolls to fund roads when there are no other alternatives. Tolls have traditionally been out of favor with many, but a greater understand of modern toll roads seems to be taking hold in the state.
What does it all mean?
I’d say it indicates that continued state funding for Charlotte’s future light rail projects is no slam dunk. Considering that financing plans for the North line expect the state to pay for 25 percent of the cost — as was the case for the South line — and that we know the feds are not helping to pay for the North line, would it not be prudent to hold off on future light rail schemes for awhile?
Oh, that’s right. We have to just trust the MTC to do what is right going forward.
Nevermind.
