Transportation is the top issue for Coquitlam residents, according to a recent city poll.
According to the report from Ipsos-Reid, 39% of survey respondents listed transportation as their number one concern, putting crime and taxes — which both received 11% — in a distant second on their priority list.
“Transportation has consistently been the leading top-of-mind issue in Coquitlam and this year’s results are not significantly different from 2013,” stated the Ipsos-Reid report to city council. “Normative comparisons show that while it is common for transportation to top the public issue agenda (particularly in the Lower Mainland), transportation-related mentions in Coquitlam are still higher than average.”
But those respondents who listed transportation as their top concern were divided over what aspect of the subject is most problematic.
Eleven per cent said transportation in general was the most important local issue while the same percentage listed public transit as the key topic and 9% listed traffic congestion. The condition of roads was mentioned by 6% of respondents while 3% said the Evergreen Line was the most important local issue; 1% said it was parking.
When asked about transportation priorities, 89% said upgrading the condition of roads through repaving was very important or somewhat important while 86% said improving pedestrian facilities, like sidewalks and trails, was either very important or somewhat important; promoting public transit service for local and regional trips was said to be either very important or somewhat important by 86% of respondents.
The survey found that older residents tended to mention transportation more than younger ones, with 48% of respondents aged 55 or older. The other 40% were between the age of 35 and 54 while 28% were between 18-34.
Ipsos-Reid conducted 501 telephone interviews with Coquitlam residents 18 years or older. In the northeast part of the city, 66 people were interviewed while 78 interviews were conducted with Westwood Plateau residents, 103 in the City Centre, 128 in central Coquitlam and 126 in west Coquitlam.
Of those respondents who listed crime as their number one concern, 36% noted that theft was their top personal safety issue while 10% said drugs and 6% said unsafe driving.
Only 4% listed vandalism as an issue, the same percentage as gangs.
Overall, 98% of Coquitlam residents listed their quality of life as good or very good, which is on par with a similar survey conducted in 2013. Most residents (86%) said they were satisfied with the city’s service delivery and believe they receive good value for their tax dollars.
“Citizens would rather pay increased taxes than see services cut,” said the survey report. “When given a choice between increased taxes or service cuts, just over half choose increased taxes while one-third opt for service cuts.
“Analysis of year-over-year tracking data shows that while residents have been split on this issue in recent surveys, this year’s results are much clearer in direction.”
The city of Coquitlam said the survey information will be used to guide staff and council’s decisions. The last survey was held in 2013.
