Public Opinion Polls

As we fight for the reauthorization of a new federal highway transportation bill, a recent poll states Americans even in rural areas favor expanding public transportation as in rail or bus transit rather than highway construction which has traditionally received much more funding.

Yes, according to the poll, rural areas! Mississippi is definitely considered rural and it is hard to believe that many Mississippians would vote for rail, bus and ferry usage over highway construction. More than 80% said the nation would benefit even though less than 20% had actually used a bus, train or ferry during the preceding month. Half of the respondents said they have no access to modes of transportation such as bus, trains or ferry.

It made me think on how the Road Builders would like to see state/federal transportation dollars spent on actual road and bridge construction. But in a recent conversation on Sid Salter's "On Deadline" radio show, 75% of the calls related to the importance of building (rebuilding) rest stops.