WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
Key Findings
1. Most residents do not see the transportation system’s needs or funding situation as immediately critical, however they still feel it is urgent to maintain an effective transportation system now and in the future.
2. Even though most residents are not convinced that the immediate need is critical, a strong majority are still willing to consider raising “some transportation taxes & fees.” However, only 3 of the 9 specific revenue sources tested – electric vehicle fee, emissions fee, and tolling – receive majority support as ways to fund increased transportation investment.
3. Information about the urgency of the need is not effective in increasing support for new revenue. Describing the benefits of increased investment does increase support.
4. Residents across the state place a high importance on maintenance and preservation and there are also clear regional priorities – e.g. transit, year round roads, ferries.
5. Tolling has majority support across the state – including Variable Tolls and Express Toll Lanes – and a majority favor using toll revenue to fund improvements within a travel corridor rather than just on the specific facility.
6. Increased state funding for transit and passenger rail has strong support in most of the state.
7. There is strong support for state funding of the ferry system, although initial support is primarily driven by strong numbers in the areas that rely on the ferry system.
About the Washington State Transportation Commission
www.wstc.wa.gov
“The Washington State Transportation Commission provides a public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and assesses how the entire transportation system works across the state and issues the state’s 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the Commission adopts tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for Washington State Ferries.”
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