Gracie WarhurstMost Americans want an alternative to the current flat gas tax rate, according to a survey of over 2,500 adults conducted by Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI).
Since 2010, MTI’s annual surveys have gauged opinions on federal transportation funding, including support for raising the gas tax or implementing mileage fees. A flat fee for all transportation is the least popular option this year, with support from only 39% of respondents.
More than half of respondents – 51% – would prefer to replace the gas tax with an emissions-based mileage fee. This means drivers would pay a fee-per-mile, considering distances driven and the fuel efficiency of their vehicle. Support for this kind of tax grew from 33% in 2010.
While the gas tax is simpler and tied directly to fuel consumption, the emissions-based mileage fee aims to be more equitable. It considers variability by linking costs to individual road usage and emissions.
The survey also showed a majority support for lower mileage rates fees for low-income drivers (61%), and business road-use fees for delivery and freight trucks (58%) or taxis and ride hailing vehicles (53%).
Although car travel remains the main way Americans get around, many adults report multimodal households. Walking trips (48%) and public transit (21%) are the second and third most popular forms of transportation.
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
