Survey Finds Support for Transit in Atlanta

"[T]ransportation continues to be metro Atlanta’s top concern, according to a poll released Friday by the Atlanta Regional Commission."

The news comes via press release published by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The findings are the results of the third annual Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey: "27 percent of respondents said transportation was the biggest problem facing the region, the second consecutive year transportation topped the list of concerns."

The strong (or weak?) showing of transportation on the survey was interpreted by ARC officials as a sign of an improving economy. ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker noted that the city is "adding jobs and residents at a faster clip than ever before" at a recent ARC event.

Another key finding of the survey: more Atlanta residents believe transit, rather than new roads and highways, will be the solution to the region's transportation woes: "The poll showed strong support for public transit, with 91 percent of respondents saying improving public transit is 'very important' or 'somewhat important' to Atlanta’s future. Forty-four percent believe expanding public transit is the best long-term solution to the region’s traffic woes, while 31 percent preferred improving roads and highways."