HART Community Survey

Ilium Associates Inc.

July–August 2009

• Random sample of adults aged 18 and over

• Random digit dialing

• Surveys geographically across the county

• 600 interviews were conducted

• Interviews lasted 15 minutes

• Range of error +/– 4% at 95% confidence level

HOW THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED

• Traffic congestion is the most important issue facing Hillsborough County– 34% of respondents named it first– 29% said the economy and jobs– High taxes were mentioned by 21%– Women see traffic congestion as a serious

issue– People aged 35-64 also share that concern

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Benefits of Public Transit– 65% of respondents agree that having

transit was important to the county– Provides mobility to people without cars– Women see a social need– People with household incomes of $50,000

or higher see transit as reducing congestion– No relation to creating jobs

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Fundamental Shift in Public Opinion– 2006 Survey: Public’s first priority was to

add lanes on existing roads– 2009 Survey: Transit is the Public’s first

option, building some form of rail– 2009 Survey also recorded increases in the

Public’s interest in expanding bus and paratransit services

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Funding Transit– 40% said current level of funding was right– 22% want it to be less– 29% would support increased taxes if it

funded more service– People who support funding are equally

split male and female– People who support more funding are more

likely to be employed than retired

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Funding Transit– Question: We need to make an investment in

roads and transit to ensure a stronger local economy in the future

– 57% strongly agree, 31% somewhat agree– Strong public sentiment that these are

extraordinary times and not a good time to ask for a tax increase

– 79% stated that the county needs to make a significant commitment to expand transit

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Funding Transit– Question: Hillsborough County is considering a

1% Sales Tax to improve transit, roads– 67% support the 1% proposal– 33% would definitely vote for and 34% probably– 15% definitely vote against– Definite support in Tampa and Brandon– Highest opposition in Lutz, Temple Terrace,

Apollo Beach, Plant City and Carrollwood– Including roadway improvements improves

support

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Funding Transit– Women support the tax in higher numbers

than men– 65% of Caucasians– 77% of African Americans– 87% of Hispanics– Households in the lower middle income

levels support the measure as do households with incomes over $100,000

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Public image of HART improved

• Public image of its services improved

• Public transit is no longer for just those who cannot afford a car

• Too many people don’t know about HART service

• Elderly and disabled service is important to the community

OTHER SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS