Transportation tops list of concerns for metro-area residents
Crime, the economy also significant concerns cited in Metropolitan Council’s annual Residents Survey
Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357
ST. PAUL—Feb. 1, 2010– Twin Cities residents ranked transportation as the region’s top concern in 2009, according to survey results released today by the Metropolitan Council at its State of the Region event in St. Anthony. This marks the sixth year out of the past seven that transportation topped the list of concerns for metro-area residents.
The Council’s annual Residents Survey showed that 29 percent of Twin Cities residents listed transportation-related issues as the region’s “single most-important problem.” Specifically, residents pointed to traffic congestion, the availability of mass transit, and the adequacy and condition of metro roads.
“It’s no surprise that the region’s residents are concerned about transportation issues,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “Everywhere I go, local officials tell me how critical transportation investments are to their communities. We know that our challenge, given available revenue for transportation investment, is to wring as much capacity as we can out of our existing system and make strategic capacity improvements where they provide the most region-wide benefit.”
Crime ranked second among residents, listed as a key concern for 19 percent of respondents. In addition, 15 percent of those surveyed cited the economy as a top concern, an increase from the 2008 survey.
Transportation was the top concern in all parts of the region. In both 2007 and 2008, crime was cited as a greater concern in the central cities. Together, transportation and crime issues have consistently been listed as significant problems for metro-area residents since 2003.
Survey respondents also indicated significant approval and support for Council services. Seventy-one percent of residents can identify the Council and its role, and 47 percent of those surveyed gave good or very-good ratings for the Council’s performance – the same percentage recorded in the 2008 Residents Survey and an all-time high.
Other survey findings include the following:
- More residents are choosing congestion-reducing commuting options. Forty-one percent of residents said they are driving or would consider driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle. In addition, 27 percent of residents said they are or would try commuting via transit, 18 percent said they would change or have changed jobs to be closer to home, and 16 percent said they are or would try walking or biking to work. All three represent slight increases from 2008.
- 96 percent said the region is a better place to live than other metropolitan areas, consistent with 2008 survey results. In addition, 24 percent said the quality of life has declined over the previous year, a significant improvement from 2007, when 34 percent of residents said the quality of life had gotten worse.
- 35 percent said parks, trails, and natural environment are the area’s most attractive features. Among other attractive features, residents noted the region’s arts and culture, population diversity, beautiful cities and downtowns, and good neighborhoods.
- 95 percent noted the Council’s role in monitoring water supply and quality, as well as its responsibility for treating wastewater, as important to the region’s quality of life.
- 84 percent said the Council’s Metro Transit bus system is important to the metro area’s quality of life. Light-rail transit was noted as important among 78 percent of respondents.
Results are based on the responses of more than 1,400 survey participants, collected during October and November 2009. The respondents reflect the demographic and geographic distribution of the region’s adult population. Survey results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, manages regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
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