“The issue of transportation has been a major topic of study and consideration throughout the region and the state this year,” said Dr. Daniel J. Kaufman, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber. “Our goal was to take a snapshot of the view of the Gwinnett community on a specific issue related to the overall topic of transportation. The results will be imbedded as part of future community-wide discussions on a comprehensive approach to economic development and the transportation system we will need to support it.”
The results of the survey were presented to the Chamber’s Board of Directors at the April meeting. Significant findings from the survey include:
• 50 percent of likely voters have a favorable impression of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
• One in three (33 percent) likely voters are dissatisfied with the public transportation in Gwinnett County
• Three in five (63 percent) likely voters support expanding MARTA into Gwinnett County
• The strongest support for MARTA expansion in Gwinnett County is in the southern part of the county, Districts Two (70 percent) and Three (65 percent)
• There is a majority support for expanding MARTA into Gwinnett County among all gender age groups, and a stronger support among voters 18-54
• A majority of likely voters in Gwinnett County support a one percent sales tax to fund the expansion of MARTA into Gwinnett County
“Planning to be a community of tomorrow means we can no longer look at vehicular transport as the only viable transportation solution for suburban counties,” said Chuck Warbington, Executive Director, Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District. “As a community, it is important that we have an open and honest conversation on how we will attract 21st century jobs with a transportation network that was primarily planned and built in the 20th century. Based on the results of this poll, the community is ready for that discussion.”
Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research (WPA) conducted the study of likely voters in Gwinnett County, Georgia, using a random sample of likely voters from the Georgia voter file using Registration Based Sampling (RBS). The sample for this survey was stratified based on geography, age, gender and ethnicity. This methodology allows the avoidance of post-survey “weighting” which can reduce the reliability of survey results. Respondents were contacted by telephone via a live operator interview March 18-19, 2015. The study has a sample size of 502 likely voters.
About the Gwinnett Chamber
The Gwinnett Chamber serves as the voice for businesses, facilitating quality job growth opportunities while enhancing the community’s vitality and quality of life. The Chamber offers the metro Atlanta business community a wealth of growth opportunity by collaborating with regional partners to drive economic and community development initiatives throughout Georgia. Through its fundamental objectives to help create quality jobs and wealth, strengthen the community, and grow business, the Chamber serves more than 2,000 member companies in metro Atlanta while delivering innovative programs to connect businesses locally, regionally and globally.
