NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York City residents are not fans of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's congestion pricing plan for Manhatttan, according to a new poll.
Fifty-four percent of NYC voters oppose congesion pricing, while 52 percent say that it will not be effective in reducing traffic, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday.
"New Yorkers give a Bronx cheer to congestion pricing. Lawmakers in Albany approved the plan, but city voters aren't in favor even if it means revenue raised will help fix mass transit. And there's a clear need for improvement. Six in ten New Yorkers rate subway service as 'not so good' or 'poor,'" said Mary Snow, polling analyst for the Quinnipiac University Poll.
Breaking it down by borough, 51 percent of Manhattan voters oppose congestion pricing. Opposition in the other boroughs ranges from 52 percent in Staten Island to 64 percent in the Bronx.
White voters are divided, with 47 percent supporting congestion pricing and 49 percent opposed. Opposition is 63 – 33 percent among black voters and 58 – 39 percent among Hispanic voters.
Congestion pricing will reduce traffic, 52 percent of Staten Island voters say, as 44 percent say it won't be effective. Voters in other boroughs say it won't work, ranging from 50 – 43 percent "no" in Manhattan to 62 – 34 percent "no" in The Bronx.
A total of 90 percent of New York City voters say traffic congestion is a "very serious" or "somewhat serious" problem. Of that 90 percent, 36 percent say Mayor Bill de Blasio is more to blame, as 16 percent say Gov. Andrew Cuomo is more to blame. Another 19 percent blame neither and 13 percent blame both leaders. New York City subway service is "not so good" or "poor," 62 percent of voters say, as 36 percent say it's "excellent" or "good." Bus quality in the city is "excellent" or "good," 48 percent of voters say, while 46 percent say it's "not so good" or "poor."
Meanwhile, Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop has suggested retaliating against New York for the Manhattan congestion pricing plan by imposing a commuter the other way around, for New York City residents.
"If NY does a commuter tax that only funds @MTA + exempts NYC residents from the tax - why should NJ not implement a commuter tax on NYC residents leaving NYC that exempts NJ residents so WE can fund our transit," he tweeted. "Reality is any commuter tax should be a regional convo not just NY."
And in an interview with 1010 WINS, he said, "This looks in some ways like a tax on some New Jersey residents to subsidize the MTA and in reality it should be more of a regional conversation about regional solutions."
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