NEW YORK - State voters oppose 50 – 33 percent a proposal to reduce New York City traffic by charging a fee for vehicles driven south of 60th Street in Manhattan, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday.

But voters statewide support congestion pricing 60 – 30 percent if proceeds from congestion pricing fees are used to improve mass transit in and around New York City, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds.

New York City voters support the plan, if the money is used for mass transit improvements, 67 – 27 percent, while suburban voters support it 51 – 43 percent.  Upstate voters support it 59 – 26 percent.  Republicans support the proposal 53 – 38 percent, while Democrats support it 67 – 23 percent and independent voters support it 58 – 35 percent. 

But 50 percent of voters say it is “not too likely” or “not likely at all” that congestion pricing money would be used for mass transit, while 42 percent say this is “very likely” or “somewhat likely.”

“The clock is ticking on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s congestion-pricing plan.  The State Legislature must act soon.  New Yorkers don’t like the idea unless the money goes to help mass transit.  Then they approve,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.