Massachusetts residents say state must prepare for transportation funding shortfall
With federal funding at risk, nearly 60% say Massachusetts must develop its own transportation funding plan, with growing support for new revenue solutions like congestion pricing and gas tax alternatives.
As Massachusetts faces uncertainty over future federal transportation funding, a new poll commissioned by Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) shows that 59% of residents believe the state must develop its own long-term funding plan. With potential federal cuts looming, there is growing openness to new revenue strategies such as congestion pricing and replacing the gas tax with fees that apply to all vehicles.
The poll, conducted by The MassINC Polling Group on behalf of T4MA, a statewide coalition advocating for equitable and accessible transportation in Massachusetts, surveyed 702 Massachusetts residents and highlights a pressing, critical need to rethink how the state funds its roads, bridges, and public transit.
"The reality is we can’t take for granted that the federal dollars we’ve relied on will always be there. Massachusetts must strengthen its commitment to long-term transportation funding," said Reggie Ramos, Executive Director of Transportation for Massachusetts. "We need a proactive plan to ensure safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation—one that embraces fair and effective funding solutions to meet the needs of all residents."
Transportation system faces growing challenges
The survey highlights increasing concerns about the condition of Massachusetts' transportation system and its ability to withstand future disruptions, including natural disasters amidst a changing climate:
45% of residents rate the state’s transportation system as only 'fair,' and 24% say it’s in poor condition.
59% believe Massachusetts' transportation network would struggle to withstand a major natural disaster, such as hurricanes or wildfires seen in other states.
Nearly one in three residents (36%) report experiencing some level of transportation insecurity, with challenges disproportionately affecting younger residents (58% of those under 30), non-white residents (53%), and those earning under $50,000 annually (53%).
Openness to new transportation revenue models
The survey found openness in exploring alternative ways to fund transportation:
Congestion pricing: 48% support studying a New York-style congestion pricing plan for the Boston area.
Gas tax reform: about half back replacing the gas tax with a mileage-based fee (51%) or additional tolls (52%), ensuring that electric vehicles contribute to road maintenance.
Vehicle weight fees: 57% support increasing vehicle registration fees based on weight, acknowledging that heavier cars cause more road damage and pose greater risks in crashes.
“I think some of the interest in these new approaches to transportation funding has to do with fairness,” says Richard Parr, Senior Research Director at The MassINC Polling Group. “Right now EVs aren’t contributing to the upkeep of the roads, and when residents hear that, they are open to some new ideas to fix that.”
Signs of improvement at the MBTA, but challenges remain
While most residents continue to rate the overall transportation system as only "fair" or "poor," there are signs of improvement in public transit:
52% of residents now say public transit near them is reliable, up from 47% in 2024.
Improvements in MBTA service quality are most noticeable in the Boston area, where two-thirds of residents now say the T is "good enough to rely on."
Massachusetts must act now amidst uncertainty at federal level
With federal funding uncertain and transportation challenges growing, the poll underscores an urgent need for state-led solutions that ensure long-term sustainability, equity, and resilience in Massachusetts’ transportation system.
"More Massachusetts residents are facing transportation challenges daily, and they see firsthand how this impacts their quality of life," added Ramos. “At the same time, we’re seeing a real willingness to be part of the solution. People want better options, and they recognize that the state must act. If we wait for a crisis, we’ll be scrambling for solutions. Now is the time for state leaders to step up and develop a sustainable, equitable transportation plan that meets the needs of all residents."
About the Poll
The poll surveyed 702 Massachusetts residents between February 21–25, 2025. Data was weighted to reflect the state’s demographics. The credibility interval is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, inclusive of design effect. The poll was conducted by The MassINC Polling Group, with input from Transportation for Massachusetts and support from The Barr Foundation.
About Transportation for Massachusetts
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA), established in 2010, is a statewide coalition focused on improving Massachusetts’ transportation systems. T4MA is committed to addressing the decades of inequitable transportation policies adversely impacting low-income, working class, Black, indigenous and communities of color.
T4MA works towards a Commonwealth with transportation systems that connect people with their choice of housing, economic opportunities, healthcare, and accessible and reliable public transportation that benefits residents in all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Our coalition advocates at the federal, state, and local levels for transportation policies that are just, safe, reliable, accessible, equitable and affordable. www.t4ma.org/
About The MassINC Polling Group
The MassINC Polling Group is a nonpartisan public opinion research firm serving public, private, and social-sector clients. MPG elevates the public's voice with cutting edge methods and rigorous analysis. Based in Boston, MPG serves a nationwide client base.