The Quinnipiac pollsters should be credited for asking the right question. In previous polls, respondents were asked whether they supported congestion pricing but were not told that pricing revenues would fund transit capital projects. Not surprisingly, New Yorkers did not want to pay more for unspecified benefits. (Respondents in prior polls were asked whether they would support congestion pricing if it would prevent transit fare increases; a majority said they would.)

The results of the poll suggest that pricing supporters should emphasize the transit benefits of the pricing plan as they lobby the public, as well as the NYC Council and State Legislature. Both legislative bodies must approve a congestion pricing plan before it can be enacted. The MTA should also ensure that significant outer borough transit improvements, such as robust and expanded bus rapid transit routes, are included in its next capital plan (to be released in March) and will be funded by congestion pricing revenue.

The state Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission will release an interim report today comparing three alternative congestion mitigation plans to the original PlaNYC congestion pricing plan. (Copies are already available via City Room here; MTR will be covering the report later today.)

Also in pricing news, the Tri-State Campaign has released congestion pricing fact sheets for New Jersey’s counties and legislative districts. Not surprisingly, only a small percentage of NJ commuters drive to what would become the congestion pricing zone. In none of NJ’s counties or districts do more than 5% of workers drive alone to the congestion pricing zone, and in only one county, one congressional district and three legislative districts do more than 3% of workers drive alone to the CPZ.