NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Six in 10 voters say that President Donald Trump should “allow congestion pricing in New York City to continue” one month after the tolling plan kicked off in Manhattan, according to a new poll.
The poll by Morning Consult—an American business intelligence company—surveyed 1,203 registered voters in New York State between Jan. 31 and Feb. 3.
In addition to 60% of NYC voters, the poll showed that half of Republicans, 54% of voters in the NYC metro area and two in three Manhattan voters agree congestion pricing should be allowed to move forward.
The poll comes after reports circulated that Trump, who has publicly criticized congestion pricing, was considering making a move to end the program. Gov. Kathy Hochul defended the plan, calling it a “game changer” for New Yorkers.
Sources told 1010 WINS last week that Trump has spoken with Hochul about stopping the toll, but that no final decision has been made.
The governor’s office has characterized their conversations as cordial, and Hochul is supposed to speak with the president again this week.
“The [poll] shows that a majority of New Yorkers want President Trump to allow the state of New York to proceed with this smart, market-driven approach to managing traffic and funding mass transit,” president and CEO of Partnership for New York City Kathryn Wylde said.
Three in four voters who regularly commute into the Central Business District—the zone below 60th Street in Manhattan where congestion pricing applies—said that there has been less traffic, in agreement with a majority of NYC, Manhattan and metro area residents.
Support for the toll has remained steady since it began on Jan. 9, with 27% of voters across New York State behind the plan and 47% in opposition to it. This is similar to a December Siena poll that showed 29% support and 51% opposition, but support among NYC voters jumped from 32% to 37%.
However, there is more support among those who drive into the congestion zone at least once a week or more, with 66% of people in support of the toll and 32% against it. Adults who drive in at least a few times a month, take public transit at least a few times each week and Manhattan residents also favored the plan.
“Support for congestion relief is growing as New Yorkers witness its positive effects,” Wylde said.
The Morning Consult poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.