CALIFORNIA 10TH DISTRICT

PASSENGER RAIL AND

TWO-PERSON CREW SURVEY

OCTOBER, 2015

Prepared by:

DFM Research
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Executive Summary
Voters in Californias 10th Congressional District strongly support legislation (H.R. 1763
introduced by Republican Congressman Don Young of Alaska) that would require a crew of
two individuals to operate any freight train in the United States. And even with California
recently passing a state two-person crew law (SB 730), 87 percent of 10th District voters favor
passage of a federal law requiring a crew of two on all freight trains. The survey was conducted
October 6-14th consisting of 365 voters using landline and cell phones.
Respondents were also asked about passenger rail, train
derailment concerns and message testing of commonly
used arguments by rail management regarding their
position on two-person crew legislation.
After the initial test for support levels of two-person
crew legislation, respondents were then presented
three statements commonly used against two- person
crew legislation, and asked if they found the statements
either convincing or not that convincing. Findings
include:

Support for H.R. 1763

4%
9%

87%
Yes

No

Unsure

Initially 72 percent of district voters are not that worried about a train derailment in their
community; however, after being informed that most freight trains have a crew of two,
and that some railroads want to go to one-person crews, only 27 percent remain not that
worried. This is a dramatic drop of 45 percentage points.

Statements against passage of two-person crew legislation are from a 2013 letter from
the American Association of Railroads (AAR) to members of Congress and some
recent position statements from a major railroad. All of the railroads positions fall
flat with the public. Even one of their strongest positions, commuter rail operates
thousands of trains a day with one person in the locomotive, and the data going back to
the 1970s shows an excellent safety record was found convincing by only 27 percent.
After hearing a one-sided argument against
passage of H.R. 1763, only 19 percent are
convinced that federal legislation is not
warranted. Data also shows that two-person
crew legislation is not a wedge issue to
district voters; support levels vary little
between self-identified Republicans (74
percent) and those who identify as
Democrats (83 percent).

Support for H.R. 1763 By Party

(after 'No on 1763' statements )

100

83
74

80

65

60
40
20

24
14

21
11

0
Democrats

Independents
Yes

No

Unsure

Republicans

In conclusion, no matter who you are,

where you live, or what your partisan
inclinations, District 10 voters support
passage of federal legislation requiring a
crew of two on all freight trains.

Methodology
The survey results presented in this report are based on a stratified random sample of
365 voters (defined by the respondents as a voter or likely voter in 2016) in Californias 10th
Congressional District. The sample was stratified by three geographic regions to ensure a
representative sample of the public, and all calls were by live callers using both landline cell
phones.
After the numbers were stratified into the appropriate district, telephone numbers were
then selected by random using a skip pattern to guarantee that the interviews were distributed
throughout the region. Each number in the stratified sample had the same non-zero chance
of being selected for an interview.
Telephone interviews were conducted by trained staff of Stone Research Services of
Indianapolis, Indiana, using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) system for
landline phones. Cell phone interviews are dialed manually to comply with the 1991
Telemarketing Consumer Protection Act. To ensure everyone in the household would have
an equal chance of being selected, callers would ask to interview the resident over the age
of 18 who had the most recent birthday.
Final results are weighted based on gender, race, age, and education to conform to the
expected voting public based on past election results and factoring in changing demographics.
The final results presented are subject to sampling error, which is the difference between
results obtained from the survey and those that would be obtained if everyone in the target
population were interviewed. The margin of error, is + 5.1 percentage points with a 95
percent confidence level; meaning that in 19 out of 20 times, the individual responses
would be within the margin of error (confidence interval). For example, if a final result of
a question resulted in a answer of 50 percent, the confidence interval would between 44.9
to 55.1 percent. Where appropriate, question and answer choices are randomized to reduce
bias; due to rounding, numbers may not equal 100 percent; question numbers are pre-set due
to same questions being asked on multiple surveys, which could results in number skips on
final report.
Project management and final analysis of the data was completed by Dean Mitchell of
DFM Research based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In addition to his 24 years of political
experience, Dean has completed course work in survey techniques and statistics as part of
his Master in Public Policy (MPP) degree from the University of Minnesotas Humphrey
School of Public Affairs.

Topline
Interviews:

365 likely voters in Californias 10th Congressional District; conducted by live caller
from Stone Research Services of Indianapolis, Indiana

Margin of Error:
Interview Dates:
Sample:

+ 5.1 percentage points with 95 percent confidence

Survey Sponsor:

SMART Transportation Divisions National Legislative Office

Q1:

October 6-14, 2015

Landline and cell phone sample. Random digit numbers provided by Survey
Sample International (SSI) of Fairfield, CT. SSI provided Stone Research with
8,000 residential random phone numbers from a pool of listed and unlisted
numbers in the boundary area and 2,000 cell phone numbers, which then were
stratified into five distinct geographical regions.

Generally speaking, do you think the country is moving in the right direction, or
is the country off on the wrong track?
Right Direction ................................................................................
Wrong Track ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q2:

And generally speaking, do you think California is moving in the right direction,
or is California off on the wrong track?
Right Direction ................................................................................
Wrong Track ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q3:

33%
60
7

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Favorable

Barack Obama
Barbara Boxer
Diane Feinstein
Jeff Denham
Jerry Brown
Donald Trump
Hillary Clinton
Marco Rubio
Michael Eggman

Q4:

22%
69
9

38%
34

36
49
44
35
36
32
11

Unfavorable

Neutral (VOL)

Never Heard Of

58

56
55
26
46
56
60
27
14

4
4
13
7
8
4
21
22

6
5
12
3
0
0
20
53

Now lets look ahead to the 2016 general election. If the election was held today for U.S.
President, and the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Donald Trump the
Republican, for whom would you vote?
Hillary Clinton .................................................................................
Donald Trump ..................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

37%
43
15
6

Q5:

Now suppose the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Marco Rubio the
Republican, for whom would you vote?
Hillary Clinton .................................................................................
Marco Rubio ....................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q6:

And in the race for U.S. House of Representatives here in the 10th District. If the election
was held today and the candidates were Michael Eggman the Democrat and Jeff Denham
the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Michael Eggman ..............................................................................
Jeff Denham .....................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q7:

39%
47
5
9

26%
56
3
15

Thinking about the job that Jeff Denham is doing as the Congressman for the 10th District;
generally speaking would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, just a fair job,
a poor job, or dont enough about Jeff Denham?
Excellent ..........................................................................................
Good ................................................................................................
Just Fair ............................................................................................
Poor ..................................................................................................
Dont Know Enough ........................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

9%
28
37
11
9
6

Q10: Im now going to read you some additional names, for each one, please tell me if you have
a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let me
know.
Favorable

Amtrak
ACE, Altamont Corridor Express
Public Transportation
Freight Railroads
Transporting Crude Oil by Rail
Labor Unions
Chamber of Commerce
the NRA
Planned Parenthood
the Sierra Club

Unfavorable

Neutral (VOL)

Never Heard Of

83%

10

42
77
57
42
54
64
53
52
37

17
18
8
38
39
21
31
39
28

11
5
15
13
6
13
8
7
14

31
0
20
7
1
2
8
2
21

Q11: Now thinking about Californias transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges,
rail, air and public transportation how would you rate it?
Excellent ...........................................................................................
Good ................................................................................................
Satisfactory ......................................................................................
Poor ..................................................................................................
Failing ..............................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

2%
18
30
33
15
1

Q12: And when it comes to spending on transportation needs here in northern San Joaquin
Valley, do you think the government spends too much, about the right amount, or not
enough on transportation needs.
Too Much .........................................................................................
About Right ......................................................................................
Not Enough ......................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

11%
16
65
8

Q13a: I now have a few questions on passenger rail here in North San Joaquin Valley. Thinking
back about two year or so, have you been a passenger on either Amtrak or ACE, the
Altamont Corridor Express?
Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................

31%
69

Q13b: Currently Amtrak has six daily passenger trains route in the San Joaquin Valley running
from Bakersfield to Sacramento and the Bay Area. When it comes to passenger rail service
here in your area, which best fits your view?
Passenger rail should increase .........................................................
Passenger rail should remain the same ............................................
Passenger rail should be reduced .....................................................
Passenger rail should be eliminated .................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

48%
38
3
3
7

Q13c: Besides Amtrak service, Northern San Joaquin Valley has a commuter rail line known as
ACE with service to San Jose. When it comes to current commuter rail service in your
area, which best fits your view?
Commuter rail should increase ........................................................
Commuter rail should remain the same ...........................................
Commuter rail should be reduced ....................................................
Commuter rail should be eliminated ................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

55%
28
3
1
13

Q14: Critics of Amtrak point out that the federal government spends over $1 billion dollars per
year to subsidize passenger rail service about 25 percent of its total budget -- and that as
a nation we can no longer afford Amtrak and its national rail network. Congress has to
vote to reauthorize federal support for passenger rail.
One idea that has been proposed is to eliminate ALL Amtrak funding, which would likely
mean no passenger rail service here in northern California and most of America. Suppose
you could vote on this amendment, would you?
Support the amendment, eliminating ALL Amtrak funding ............
Oppose the amendment, keeping Amtrak funded at current levels .
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

13%
82
6

Now turning to some other rail issues

Q16: How worried are you about a train derailing in your community?
Very Worried ...................................................................................
Fairly Worried ..................................................................................
Just Somewhat Worried ...................................................................
Not that Worried ..............................................................................

5%
4
18
72

Q17: Based on what you know, how many people do you think operate a freight train
that travels through California?
One ...................................................................................................
Two ..................................................................................................
Three ................................................................................................
Four or More ....................................................................................
Dont Know .....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

1%
22
21
39
11
6

Currently most freight trains in America operate with a crew of two people; but there
are efforts by some railroads to reduce the crew to just one person on some trains.
Q18: When it comes to railroad safety and operations, do you think a train with a crew of
one individual can be operated as safe as a train with a crew of two individuals?
Yes, one operator can be as safe as two ...........................................
No, one operator cannot be as safe ..................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

6%
91
3

Q19: Now lets suppose freight trains in your area operated with only a crew of one, now
how worried would you be about a train derailing in your community?
Very Worried ...................................................................................
Fairly Worried ..................................................................................
Just Somewhat Worried ...................................................................
Not that Worried ..............................................................................

35
14
23
27

Q20a: Last month California Senate Bill 730 was signed into law, which requires a minimum
of two crew members on all freight trains in California. Do you think this is a good
law, or an unnecessary law?
Good Law ........................................................................................
Unnecessary Law .............................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

91%
7
2

Q20b: Some in Congress want to enact a federal law, known as H.R. 1763, the Safe Freight

Act, and if passed would require all freight trains in the United States to operate with
a crew of two. Knowing that California already passed a state law, suppose now you
could vote on the federal law. Would you vote YES to pass H.R. 1763 or would
you voted NO, and reject H.R. 1763.
Yes, Pass ..........................................................................................
No, Reject ........................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

87%
9
4

Q21: I now want to read you a few reasons why some DO NOT want to see H.R.
1763 requiring a crew of two on all freight trains to become law. For each reason,
tell me if you find it a convincing or not that convincing reason to NOT PASS
H.R. 1763:
Q21a:

Train crew size is addressed in the collective bargaining process between rail
management and rail labor, and a law is not needed.
Convincing .......................................................................................
Not That Convincing .......................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q21b:

Commuter rail operates thousands of trains a day with one person in the locomotive,
and the data going back to the 1970s shows an excellent safety record.
Convincing .......................................................................................
Not That Convincing .......................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q21c:

12%
80
9

27%
68
5

If two-person train crew legislation passes, it will hinder investment and

implementation of safe, cost-saving technology like Positive Train Control, which is
advanced technology designed to automatically stop a train before certain types of
accidents?
Convincing .......................................................................................
Not That Convincing .......................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

28%
64
8

Q22:

Now considering everything you just heard about H.R. 1763, The Safe Freight Act. If
you could vote on this federal legislation once again, would you vote YES to pass
H.R. 1763 or would you voted NO, and reject H.R. 1763.
Yes, Pass ..........................................................................................
No, Reject ........................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q23:

Currently the Railroads are required by law to implement advanced technology,

(known at Positive Train Control) which is designed to make railroads safer and stop
a train before certain type of accidents. Generally speaking, do you think Positive
Train Control will improve rail safety?
Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Q24:

75%
19
6

78%
13
8

When it comes to rail safety, train crew size and the latest rail technology, which
option makes the most sense to you?
Only two-person crew, no advanced rail technology .......................
Two person crew, using advanced rail technology ..........................
Advanced rail technology as replacement of a train crew member .
Let railroads and rail unions decide which option is safest .............
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

2%
75
4
16
3

Q25a: Based on what you know, do you trust advanced rail technology as a replacement of

a train crew member?

Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

18%
74
8

Q25b: Do you trust advanced rail technology to prevent most rail accidents?
Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

50%
41
9

Q26: Now thinking about everything we talked about, suppose a candidate running for
office supported or voted for legislation requiring two individuals on all freight trains;
come election time, would you be more likely to support that candidate, less likely to
support that candidate, or would not make a difference when it comes to your support?
More Likely .....................................................................................
Less Likely .......................................................................................
No Difference ..................................................................................

40%
1
59

Q95: When it comes to political parties, do you consider yourself a:

Democrat...........................................................................................
an Independent .................................................................................
Republican .......................................................................................

38%
23
39

Select Key Crosstabs

Q1:

Generally speaking, do you think the country is moving in the right direction, or
is the country off on the wrong track?
Right Direction ................................................................................
Wrong Track ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender

RD

WT

Unsure

Men
Women

24%
20

68
70

8
10

29
22
15

59
71
75

12
7
10

28
21
19

66
68
74

6
12
7

13
40
40

78
50
53

9
10
7

20
24
22

69
68
69

11
8
9

42
16
7

46
76
87

13
8
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

22%
69
9

Q2:

And generally speaking, do you think California is moving in the right direction,
or is California off on the wrong track?
Right Direction ................................................................................
Wrong Track ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender

RD

WT

Unsure

Men
Women

29%
36

65
56

6
9

40
30
30

48
66
60

8
5
4

30
32
35

63
59
59

6
9
5

25
47
48

67
48
41

7
5
11

31
34
34

61
61
57

8
6
9

58
23
14

33
71
80

9
6
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

33%
60
7

Q3:

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Barack Obama
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

36%
39

61
56

3
5

0
0

49
38
28

45
60
67

6
2
5

0
0
0

44
33
41

50
63
58

6
4
2

0
0
0

26
61
58

69
37
35

4
2
7

0
0
0

39
37
37

57
58
60

4
5
3

0
0
0

75
26
8

22
69
88

3
5
4

0
0
0

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

38%
58
4
0

Q3:

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Jeff Denham
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

50%
47

25
27

11
15

14
11

42
48
56

23
30
21

15
10
16

19
12
7

39
53
51

27
22
32

16
14
8

18
11
9

55
37
36

25
28
28

13
13
13

7
22
23

47
54
43

28
24
26

13
13
13

12
9
18

34
44
65

37
28
15

11
17
13

18
10
8

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

49%
26
13
12

Q3:

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Jerry Brown
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

38%
50

53
40

6
7

3
3

44
43
47

36
51
46

10
6
5

10
0
2

41
45
46

47
45
46

7
7
6

6
3
2

37
54
66

54
33
24

6
8
10

3
5
0

47
45
39

42
47
51

8
7
5

4
1
5

74
31
23

19
57
65

3
7
10

3
5
2

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

44%
46
7
3

Q3:

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Donald Trump
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

39%
32

50
62

11
6

0
0

26
39
37

66
54
52

7
7
11

0
0
0

34
35
36

55
57
57

11
8
7

0
0
0

41
24
25

48
72
75

11
4
1

0
0
0

33
37
36

59
56
53

8
7
11

0
0
0

14
38
53

83
54
32

3
7
14

0
0
0

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

35%
56
8
0

Q3:

Im now going to read you some names of public figures. For each one, please tell me if
you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just
let me know.
Hillary Clinton
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

33%
39

63
56

4
4

0
0

41
34
35

54
62
60

6
4
5

0
0
0

44
33
41

50
63
58

6
4
2

0
0
0

25
60
52

71
35
42

4
5
7

0
0
0

39
37
37

57
58
60

4
5
3

0
0
0

73
19
10

21
76
88

7
5
2

0
0
0

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

36%
60
4
0

Q4:

Now lets look ahead to the 2016 general election. If the election was held today for U.S.
President, and the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Donald Trump the
Republican, for whom would you vote?
Hillary Clinton .................................................................................
Donald Trump ..................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Clinton

Trump

Other

Unsure

32%
41

48
39

15
14

5
6

46
34
32

33
46
48

17
14
13

4
6
7

41
31
41

40
42
48

14
19
6

4
7
4

26
57
59

54
23
23

16
11
16

5
9
3

35
40
33

42
45
43

17
9
19

6
6
5

74
22
8

11
42
76

12
26
10

3
10
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

37%
43
15
6

Q5:

Now suppose the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Marco Rubio the
Republican, for whom would you vote?
Hillary Clinton .................................................................................
Marco Rubio ....................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Clinton

Rubio

Other

Unsure

36%
42

52
42

3
6

9
9

45
36
38

41
47
52

4
6
4

10
10
6

48
35
38

36
49
54

7
6
1

8
10
8

30
58
56

56
30
28

6
3
3

9
9
12

38
41
37

46
45
51

7
5
2

9
8
10

82
21
8

9
52
81

4
8
4

5
19
7

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

39%
47
5
9

Q6:

And in the race for U.S. House of Representatives here in the 10th District. If the election
was held today and the candidates were Michael Eggman the Democrat and Jeff Denham
the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Michael Eggman ..............................................................................
Jeff Denham .....................................................................................
(VOL) Other ....................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Eggman

Denham

Other

Unsure

23%
28

59
54

2
4

16
15

25
25
27

55
54
62

4
4
1

16
17
10

27
25
26

53
57
57

6
2
1

13
16
17

22
30
40

63
45
35

4
0
0

10
25
26

27
27
21

57
56
57

5
2
1

11
15
21

53
13
6

28
60
82

2
6
3

18
21
10

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

26%
56
3
15

Q7:

Thinking about the job that Jeff Denham is doing as the Congressman for the 10th District;
generally speaking would you say he is doing an excellent job, a good job, just a fair job,
a poor job, or dont enough about Jeff Denham?
Excellent ..........................................................................................
Good ................................................................................................
Just Fair ............................................................................................
Poor ..................................................................................................
Dont Know Enough ........................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Excellent

9%
28
37
11
9
6

Good

Just Fair

Poor

DKE

9%
8

28
28

36
38

13
10

7
10

7
8
11

25
25
36

41
37
33

7
15
8

10
10
5

5
12
5

26
27
31

39
33
42

8
11
16

9
11
4

10
7
4

32
23
15

34
45
33

11
7
25

10
2
21

7
12
5

30
23
31

39
40
29

11
12
12

8
7
14

8
7
10

17
24
41

38
42
33

19
10
5

13
9
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

Q10:

Im now going to read you some additional names, for each one, please tell me if you
have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let
me know.
Amtrak
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

79%
87

16
5

3
7

2
1

86
83
82

9
12
8

4
4
8

2
1
3

82
85
81

12
7
13

3
6
5

3
1
1

82
85
86

11
7
10

6
3
5

1
5
0

85
80
86

8
12
9

5
5
5

2
3
0

87
80
81

8
14
10

3
3
7

1
2
2

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

83%
10
5
2

Q10:

Im now going to read you some additional names, for each one, please tell me if you
have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let
me know.
ACE, Altamont Corridor Express
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

45%
39

15
18

11
10

29
32

39
45
40

15
17
18

5
11
15

41
27
27

37
41
49

18
17
15

11
12
8

34
30
27

44
33
51

18
12
17

12
9
5

25
46
27

37
32
65

19
18
11

7
16
7

36
34
16

42
45
41

12
13
23

13
9
9

33
33
27

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

42%
17
11
31

Q10:

Im now going to read you some additional names, for each one, please tell me if you
have a favorable or unfavorable opinion, and if you never heard of them before, just let
me know.
Labor Unions
Favorable .........................................................................................
Unfavorable .....................................................................................
(VOL) Neutral ..................................................................................
Never Heard Of ................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Favorable Unfavorable

Neutral

NHO

48%
60

45
33

5
7

2
0

41
34
35

54
62
60

6
4
5

0
0
0

65
48
53

29
43
42

5
8
4

1
1
1

25
60
52

71
35
42

4
5
7

0
0
0

51
56
56

39
39
37

7
5
6

2
0
1

83
46
31

15
45
58

1
8
10

1
1
1

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

54%
39
6
1

Q13b: Currently Amtrak has six daily passenger trains route in the San Joaquin Valley running
from Bakersfield to Sacramento and the Bay Area. When it comes to passenger rail service
here in your area, which best fits your view?
Passenger rail should increase .........................................................
Passenger rail should remain the same ............................................
Passenger rail should be reduced .....................................................
Passenger rail should be eliminated .................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Increase

Same

Reduced Eliminated

48%
38
3
3
7

Unsure

49%
48

40
37

2
5

3
3

6
8

42
53
44

44
34
42

6
2
4

2
3
3

5
8
6

42
47
53

43
37
37

3
6
2

3
2
4

9
8
5

48
50
45

41
37
25

2
5
7

2
5
3

7
3
20

52
40
55

35
46
32

3
4
3

2
3
4

9
6
6

55
47
42

34
37
44

3
2
5

3
2
4

6
13
5

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

Q13c: Besides Amtrak service, Northern San Joaquin Valley has a commuter rail line known as
ACE with service to San Jose. When it comes to current commuter rail service in your
area, which best fits your view?
Commuter rail should increase ........................................................
Commuter rail should remain the same ...........................................
Commuter rail should be reduced ....................................................
Commuter rail should be eliminated ................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Increase

Same

Reduced Eliminated

55%
28
3
1
13

Unsure

62%
49

26
30

3
3

2
0

7
18

52
60
49

30
24
33

7
1
2

0
2
0

11
12
16

44
60
58

34
24
28

7
3
0

1
1
1

14
12
12

51
64
58

31
22
26

2
6
3

1
0
0

14
8
13

56
48
65

26
35
21

2
3
4

1
1
1

15
13
8

58
54
53

26
22
34

3
2
4

1
1
1

13
21
8

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

Q14: Critics of Amtrak point out that the federal government spends over $1 billion dollars per
year to subsidize passenger rail service about 25 percent of its total budget -- and that as
a nation we can no longer afford Amtrak and its national rail network. Congress has to vote
to reauthorize federal support for passenger rail.
One idea that has been proposed is to eliminate ALL Amtrak funding, which would likely
mean no passenger rail service here in northern California and most of America. Suppose
you could vote on this amendment, would you?
Support the amendment, eliminating ALL Amtrak funding ............
Oppose the amendment, keeping Amtrak funded at current levels .
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Support

Oppose

Unsure

16%
10

79
84

5
6

13
15
8

79
80
88

8
5
4

10
9
18

81
86
78

9
5
4

13
15
10

83
78
81

4
7
9

13
14
11

83
79
85

5
7
4

8
13
17

90
75
77

2
12
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

13%
82
6

Q16: How worried are you about a train derailing in your community?
Very Worried ...................................................................................
Fairly Worried ..................................................................................
Just Somewhat Worried ...................................................................
Not that Worried ..............................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Fairly

Just
Somewhat

Not That

5%
4

5
4

19
17

70
74

5
4
6

6
5
2

14
18
21

75
73
71

8
4
4

3
5
4

20
17
18

69
74
74

4
5
14

5
4
4

17
20
24

75
70
59

5
7
2

3
6
4

16
21
17

76
67
77

7
6
3

5
2
6

22
18
15

67
73
77

Very

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

5%
4
18
72

Q19: Now lets suppose freight trains in your area operated with only a crew of one, now
how worried would you be about a train derailing in your community?
Very Worried ...................................................................................
Fairly Worried ..................................................................................
Just Somewhat Worried ...................................................................
Not that Worried ..............................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Fairly

Just
Somewhat

Not That

34%
37

14
14

19
27

33
22

23
41
35

13
15
15

25
21
26

39
23
24

46
32
31

12
13
17

13
24
28

29
31
24

34
35
45

17
9
8

26
15
22

23
41
24

34
38
34

13
15
15

25
22
22

28
26
29

43
33
28

12
10
19

26
21
22

19
36
31

Very

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

35
14
23
27

Q20a: Last month California Senate Bill 730 was signed into law, which requires a minimum
of two crew members on all freight trains in California. Do you think this is a good
law, or an unnecessary law?
Good Law ........................................................................................
Unnecessary Law .............................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Good

Unnecessary

Unsure

86%
96

11
3

3
1

87
92
93

11
5
6

2
2
1

91
94
89

5
5
10

4
2
1

94
88
84

5
13
3

1
0
14

91
91
92

5
8
7

3
1
1

91
90
92

7
7
7

3
3
1

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

91%
7
2

Q20b: Some in Congress want to enact a federal law, known as H.R. 1763, the Safe Freight

Act, and if passed would require all freight trains in the United States to operate with
a crew of two. Knowing that California already passed a state law, suppose now you
could vote on the federal law. Would you vote YES to pass H.R. 1763 or would
you voted NO, and reject H.R. 1763.
Yes, Pass ..........................................................................................
No, Reject ........................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Pass

Reject

Unsure

83%
91

12
5

5
3

82
88
92

12
8
6

7
4
2

87
91
85

7
4
13

6
5
1

90
83
81

7
14
6

3
3
14

86
91
85

8
7
12

7
2
3

93
85
84

6
11
10

2
4
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

87%
9
4

Q22:

Now considering everything you just heard about H.R. 1763, The Safe Freight Act. If
you could vote on this federal legislation once again, would you vote YES to pass
H.R. 1763 or would you voted NO, and reject H.R. 1763.
Yes, Pass ..........................................................................................
No, Reject ........................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender
Men
Women

Pass

Reject

Unsure

75%
75

20
18

5
7

67
78
77

26
16
17

7
6
6

72
77
76

18
16
22

11
7
2

77
74
67

18
22
19

6
4
13

72
80
71

20
16
22

8
4
7

83
65
74

14
24
21

3
11
6

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

75%
19
6

Q25a: Based on what you know, do you trust advanced rail technology as a replacement of

a train crew member?

Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender

Yes

No

Unsure

Men
Women

24%
12

68
78

8
9

22
15
20

69
77
71

8
8
10

20
13
21

68
79
72

12
8
7

16
23
20

77
71
56

7
6
23

17
21
15

71
71
81

12
8
5

20
15
18

75
72
73

5
13
9

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

18%
74
8

Q25b: Do you trust advanced rail technology to prevent most rail accidents?
Yes ....................................................................................................
No ....................................................................................................
(VOL) Unsure ..................................................................................

Gender

Yes

No

Unsure

Men
Women

54%
47

38
43

9
10

55
49
48

40
41
40

6
10
13

48
48
54

39
42
40

14
10
6

47
61
44

45
34
29

9
4
27

48
51
51

41
40
41

10
10
8

51
42
54

43
44
37

7
14
9

Age
18-39
40-64
65 plus

Education
High School
Some College
College Degree

Race/Ethnicity
White
Latino
All Other

Region
Modesto
Stanislaus County
San Joaquin County

Party Identification
Democrat
Independent
Republican

50%
41
9