Private Turnpike lanes not popular in Jersey - opinion survey

An opinion poll suggests about 58% opposition versus 17% support - with 25% no opinion - for the idea of having private operators run new toll lanes they'd built on the New Jersey Turnpike. The question was framed in terms of the private lanes being higher priced than the existing lanes.

This in a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll the results of which were published in the Asbury Park Press newspaper.

The idea was floated by Democratic Party leaders in the state legislature recently. One idea was premium service lanes for car drivers, another for truck/bus-only lanes.

Gov Jon Corzine has said that the ideas are worthy of consideration.

The same poll showed 39% of Jerseyans approving of how Corzine is doing his job as governor to 46% disapproval. This is a less adverse judgment than Corzine's low in April when he was advocating a plan to increase tolls several fold. Then his approval rating was 34/52.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-07-27