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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(107,112 posts)
Fri Oct 1, 2021, 08:33 PM Oct 2021

Political partisanship in transportation overshadows strong overall support for reform

Transportation has long been viewed as one of the more reliable areas of agreement in Congress but has now become another front in the partisan wars. Look no further for evidence than the current Senate infrastructure bill, which seems to please few beside those who emphasize bipartisan agreement. Many on the left had hoped for a dramatic shift in priorities but are now faced with what is essentially a traditional highway bill. Meanwhile, those on the right deride the bill for investing too much in mass transit.

Why has transportation become so hotly contested? In research published this week in The Journal of the American Planning Association, we explore Americans' views on transport policy.

Our research makes clear that while the nation is divided by partisanship, most Americans agree the transportation system isn't working and want change. When asked to trade-off competing priorities for our federal transportation policy, 63 perent of Americans preferred shifting more trips toward transit, walking and biking over making it easier to drive for most trips. The idea is not just a slam dunk with liberals. It polls at 68 percent among moderates and 47 percent among conservatives. It is only the self-described "very conservative" voters who oppose this idea in large numbers.

We also explored whether American views about transport policy are influenced by self-interest, factual knowledge of transportation policy, belief in the possibility of change and core values.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/political-partisanship-in-transportation-overshadows-strong-overall-support-for-reform/ar-AAP3cLm

In many metropolitan areas it's not practicable for everyone to drive.

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