Sound Transit Districtwide. Report of Telephone Survey Results June 2014

Transcription

1 Sound Transit Districtwide Report of Telephone Survey Results June 2014

2 Methodology Live telephone survey of 1,000 registered voters in the Sound Transit District Conducted June 2 nd June 15 th, 2014 Snohomish, East King, South King, and Pierce subareas were oversampled Districtwide Snohomish N King E King S King Pierce N Effective n= MOE +3.6 points Data weighted to reflect districtwide registered voter population using key demographics including geography Interviewing using trained, professional interviewers Please note that due to rounding, some percentages may not add up to exactly 100%. Sound Transit Systemwide 2

3 Direction of Puget Sound Optimism is on the rise in Puget Sound. The last time voters were this optimistic was in % 47% 42% 53% 48% 44% 41% 43% 42% 44% 42% 49% 42% 54% 38% 39% 35% 36% 42% 42% 41% 41% 40% 36% 39% 29% 31% 31% 16% 15% 19% 16% 17% 20% 17% 15% 17% 15% 17% 15% 18% 16% Dec '00 Jun '01 May '02 '02 Apr '03 '03 '04 Sep '05 Oct '06 Apr '07 '07 Feb '08 '10 June '14 Right Direction Wrong Track Don't Know Q4. Do you feel things in the Puget Sound region are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Sound Transit Systemwide 3

4 Direction of Puget Sound by Sub Areas Voters in North and East King County are substantially more optimistic than other sub-areas. South King County lags behind the rest of the County and Pierce is least optimistic. Right direction (Don't know) Wrong track NET Overall 54% 16% 29% +25% East King 63% 14% 22% +41% North King 62% 15% 22% +40% Snohomish 51% 13% 35% +16% South King 47% 17% 36% +11% Pierce 44% 20% 35% +9% Q4. Do you feel things in the Puget Sound region are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track? Sound Transit Systemwide 4

5 Biggest Problem Facing Area Transportation and transit issues have again become the dominate concerns, as general optimism increases and concerns about the economy lessen. Volunteered Most Important Problem Mass Transit/Transportation 12% 12% 18% Traffic 8% 8% 15% Economy/Jobs/Unemployment 23% 34% 11% The Environment/Pollution 2% 2% 7% Education 4% 4% 5% Minimum Wage - - 5% Government Officials 3% 3% 3% Growth/Overpopulation 2% 2% 3% Infrastructure 2% 2% 3% Crime 1% - 3% Budget/Spending 6% 6% 3% Affordable Housing 1% - 3% Taxes 4% 4% 2% Nothing 1% - 2% Other 7% 16% 10% Don t know/refused 13% 6% 9% Q5. What do you think is the most important problem facing the Puget Sound region today? (Multi-response) Sound Transit Systemwide 5

6 Biggest Problem Facing Area by Sub Area While transportation and traffic are major concerns districtwide, these issues dominate in North and East King, making up nearly 40% of all mentions. Snohomish North King East King South King Pierce Mass Transit/ Transportation/Traffic 28% 40% 38% 33% 24% Economy/Jobs 8% 7% 9% 14% 17% The Environment/Pollution 5% 9% 6% 5% 7% Education 6% 3% 5% 4% 6% Minimum Wage 9% 4% 3% 4% 4% Q5. What do you think is the most important problem facing the Puget Sound region today? Sound Transit Systemwide 6

7 Sound Transit Favorable Sound Transit s favorable rating continues to improve and is very strong overall. 60% 61% 65% 63% 64% 64% 67% 69% 53% 41% 47% 49% 45% 51% 31% 16% Dec '00 31% 28% Jun '01 35% 18% May '02 31% 20% '02 32% 23% Apr '03 36% 13% '03 23% 23% 17% 16% '04 Sep '05 21% 20% 13% Oct '06 17% Apr '07 24% 24% 12% 13% '07 Feb '08 18% 15% '10 June '14 17% 14% Favorable Unfavorable Can't Rate/ Never Heard Q7. Do you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or strongly unfavorable opinion of Sound Transit? Sound Transit Systemwide 7

8 KC Metro v. Sound Transit Favorability Sound Transit s favorability rating is now noticeably stronger than King County Metro s favorable. 65% 41% 28% 15% 66% 61% 63% 47% 49% 45% 35% 31% 32% 19% 18% 16% 65% 63% 65% 62% 63% 60% 62% 63% 61% 51% 36% 20% 24% 23% 16% 17% 21% 19% 17% 16% 64% 63% 24% 67% ST Favorable 69% 65% KCM Favorable 57% 18% 19% 14% KCM Unfavorable 27% ST Unfavorable 17% Jun '01 May '02 '02 Apr '03 '03 '04 Sep '05 ST Favorable KCM Favorable ST Unfavorable KCM Unfavorable Oct '06 Apr '07 Feb '08 '10 June '14 Overall favorability of Sound Transit compared with King County Metro s, over a decade of survey tracking. Sound Transit Systemwide 8

9 ST Favorable by Sub Area ST s favorable rating exceeds 60% in all sub areas, but is strongest in North King County. Strongly Fav Somewhat Fav Can't Rate/ Never Heard Somewhat Unfav Strongly Unfav Total Fav Overall 25% 44% 14% 10% 7% 69% North King 28% 47% 13% 10% 75% South King 25% 43% 13% 9% 11% 67% East King 23% 46% 11% 11% 8% 70% Pierce 24% 42% 17% 10% 7% 66% Snohomish 23% 40% 21% 9% 7% 63% Q7. Do you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or strongly unfavorable opinion of Sound Transit? Sound Transit Systemwide 9

10 Support for Expanding Transit General support for mass transit expansion has remained consistently strong over the last six years Support 82% Support 85% Somewhat 25% 24% Strongly 57% Oppose 16% Don't 6% know 2% 10% 60% Oppose 12% 5% 7% Don't know 3% Support Oppose Don't Support Oppose Don't Q. In general, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose continued expansion of Sound Transit s mass transit system of light rail, commuter rail and express buses? Sound Transit Systemwide 10

11 Initial Support for Expansion by Sub Area Most voters (8 in 10 or more) in every sub area support expansion, although support is strongest in North King County. Strongly support Somewhat support Undecided/Refused Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Total Support Overall 60% 24% 5% 7% 85% North King 70% 23% 4% 93% East King 62% 22% 7% 6% 84% South King 56% 27% 4% 11% 83% Pierce 52% 28% 6% 10% 80% Snohomish 55% 24% 6% 9% 79% Q15. In general, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose continued expansion of Sound Transit s mass transit system of light rail, commuter rail and express buses? Sound Transit Systemwide 11

12 Initial Support for Expansion Demographics North King voters, women, and those under 50 are the strongest supporters of ST expansion. North King F <50 <50 M <50 Female F F 65+ East King South King Male Pierce Snohomish M 65+ M Initial Support for ST Expansion 93% 91% 90% 89% 89% 88% 84% 84% 83% 80% 80% 79% 79% 79% 74% 70% Q15. In general, do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose continued expansion of Sound Transit s mass transit system of light rail, commuter rail and express buses? Sound Transit Systemwide 12

13 Support for New Taxing Authority - Final Overall support for having the Legislature give ST new tax authority is at 75%. Only 22% say the Legislature should not give ST new tax authority. Yes 75% Probably 29% Definitely 47% No 22% 10% 12% Und/DK/Ref 3% Q47. And given everything you have heard, do you think the State Legislature should give Sound Transit new taxing authority so they can put a transit expansion measure on the ballot sometime in the future? Sound Transit Systemwide 13

14 Support for New Tax Authority Demographics Women, particular women under 50, North and East King voters the strongest supporters of new tax authority for Sound Transit. F <50 North King Female East King F M <50 F 65+ Pierce Snohomish Male South King M 65+ M Initial Support Tax Authorization 83% 80% 78% 75% 74% 71% 69% 67% 65% 65% 65% 65% 63% 60% 56% Q16. In order to further expand light rail, commuter rail and express buses in the region, Sound Transit must first get approval from the State Legislature for new taxing authority. Once that happens, Sound Transit can go to the voters with a transit expansion ballot measure. Do you think the State Legislature should definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not give Sound Transit new taxing authority so they can put a transit expansion measure on the ballot sometime in the future? Sound Transit Systemwide 14

15 Support for New Tax Authority by Legislature Favorable Rating Those with an unfavorable opinion of the Legislature have a higher opposition to giving ST new taxing authority, however support even among this group nears 60%. Definitely/Probably Undecided/DK/Refused Probably/Definitely not Overall 71% 24% Favorable Opinion of WA Leg Unfavorable Opinion of WA Leg 59% 81% 36% 15% Q16. In order to further expand light rail, commuter rail and express buses in the region, Sound Transit must first get approval from the State Legislature for new taxing authority. Once that happens, Sound Transit can go to the voters with a transit expansion ballot measure. Do you think the State Legislature should definitely, probably, probably not, or definitely not give Sound Transit new taxing authority so they can put a transit expansion measure on the ballot sometime in the future? Sound Transit Systemwide 15

16 Investment Priorities Expanding light rail is the top priority all sub areas except Pierce, where commuter rail is the top priority. North King County is most receptive to expansion in general. Overall Snohomish North King East King South King Pierce Q17. Expanding mass transit in the Puget Sound region Q18. Expanding local bus service in your area Q19. Expanding regional express bus service Q20. Expanding light rail service Q21. Expanding commuter rail service *Colors indicate relative order of mean in each sub area, with greener colors indicating a higher mean and red lower means. Q I m going to read you a list of transit investments Sound Transit could make. For each, I would like to know how urgent you feel that investment is. You can use a scale of one to seven, where one means it is not at all urgent, and seven means it is extremely urgent. Sound Transit Systemwide 16

17 Priority of Specific Expansion Projects Routes connecting downtown Seattle to other parts of the city, or that connect Seattle to the East side, are given the highest priority. Area Mean Downtown Sea.-West Sea.-White Center 4.86 U-District-Kirkland via SR Downtown Sea.-Ballard 4.71 Bellevue-Renton 4.70 Bellevue-Kirkland-Bothell-Woodinville 4.66 Ballard-U-District 4.64 Federal Way-Tacoma 4.62 Redmond's Overlake-downtown areas 4.60 Dot size reflective of overall mean for potential expansion projects. Lynnwood-Everett 4.39 Between Renton and Tukwila's light rail station 4.37 Kent and Des Moines-Federal Way 4.31 Burien-Tukwila's light rail station 4.20 Bellevue-Issaquah 4.13 As Sound Transit plans to expand rail and other high-capacity services in the Puget Sound region, there are a number of places that could be included as part of this future expansion. For each one, please tell me how high a priority you think that area should be for Sound Transit as it considers where to expand rail service. Use a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 means that area is a very low priority and 7 means it is a very high priority. Sound Transit Systemwide 17

18 Top Expansion Priorities by Sub Area Projects that connect parts of Seattle, or connect Seattle to the Eastside have the highest support across sub areas. Otherwise, support for specific routes is connected to where voters are. Overall Snohomish North King East King South King Pierce Q34. Between Downtown Seattle and Ballard Q35. Between Downtown Seattle, West Seattle and White Center Q36. Between Ballard and the U-District Q37. Between the U-District and Kirkland via State Route Q38. Between the Kent and Des Moines area and Federal Way Q39. Between Federal Way and Tacoma Q40. Between Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell and Woodinville Q41. Between Redmond s Overlake and downtown areas Q42. Between Renton and Tukwila s light rail station Q43. Between Burien and Tukwila s light rail station Q44. Between Bellevue and Issaquah Q45. Between Bellevue and Renton Q46. Between Lynnwood and Everett *Colors indicate relative order of mean in each sub area, with greener colors indicating a higher mean and red lower means. Sound Transit Systemwide 18

19 Messages Messages about the need for and benefits of more transit resonate more strongly than ones that speak to Sound Transit s past or current efforts and accomplishments. Much more likely Somewhat likely No Difference Total 22. Puget Sound is growing/mass transit only way to transportation capacity in congested areas 53% 26% 20% 79% 28. Elderly and low income residents rely on transit 51% 27% 20% 79% 27. Everyone, even drivers, benefit from more mass transit 51% 27% 21% 78% 25. Light rail is separated from traffic/quick and predictable because it doesn t have to wait for traffic. 50% 27% 21% 77% 24. Building more transit will reduce the number of cars/fight climate change 49% 24% 26% 73% 23. To help our economy continue to grow/attract new companies, commuters need choices 46% 30% 23% 76% 30. Reliable transit like light rail encourages denser development/reduces sprawl 38% 32% 28% 70% 26. Sound Transit works local transit agencies/efficient by reducing duplication. 28% 33% 31% 61% 29. Sound Transit has delivered complex projects on time and under budget. 28% 28% 38% 56% 31. Sound Transit has undergone reforms/inceased accountability and transparency for tax dollars. 25% 31% 36% 56% Q I m going to read you some arguments in favor of expanding transit in this region. For each of the following statements, please tell me if that statement makes you much more likely or somewhat more likely to support expanding transit. Sound Transit Systemwide 19

20 Preferred Revenue Sources No proposed revenue source is particularly attractive to voters when detached from the projects it would fund. In the end support will depend on the particular package and overall cost. Definitely Probably DK/Refused Probably not Definitely not 51. An increase in the property tax of $45 annually for each $100,000 of value, or about $150 dollars per year for the average local home that is worth $325,000 21% 30% 18% 29% 49. An increase of the sales tax by 2.6 cents for every $10 purchase, or 26 cents for each $100 purchase 17% 25% 21% 33% 50. An increase in the motor vehicle excise tax, or car tab tax, of $120 dollars annually for each $10,000 of vehicle value 16% 23% 21% 38% 52. An increase in the gasoline tax of 27 cents per gallon, which is about $4 when filling up with 15 gallons 15% 20% 21% 42% Q There are a variety of revenue sources that could be used to help fund expansion of Sound Transit commuter rail, express buses, and light rail. For each of the following, please tell me if you think the legislature should definitely, probably, probably not or definitely not give Sound Transit the authority to use that revenue source for a future ballot measure that would be decided by voters. Sound Transit Systemwide 20

21 Key Findings Sound Transit s favorable rating is at its highest point. Support for expansion of Sound Transit s system is widespread (85%) is as strong and in fact a little more intense than it was before Sound Transit 2. More than three-quarters (75%) support the Legislature giving Sound Transit more taxing authority. This includes a majority who have an unfavorable opinion of the legislature. Among the kinds of transit that could be added, additional capacity in the form of rail is seen as the most urgent. Sound Transit Systemwide 21

22 Contacts Ian Stewart Sound Transit Systemwide 22