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Today's congestion pricing post comes to you with thanks to our friends at Streetsblog.

A Quinnipiac Poll released today shows once again that New Yorkers are decidedly in favor of congestion pricing with revenues allocated for mass transit. The latest numbers indicate 59 percent approval vs. 38 percent opposed.

Here's the breakdown by borough:

• Manhattan: 73% - 23%
• Bronx: 57% - 39%
• Brooklyn: 51% - 46%
• Queens: 58% - 40%
• Staten Island: 55% - 42%

A whopping 89 percent say traffic congestion is a “very serious” or “somewhat serious” problem.

But here’s the trouble spot that needs to be addressed:  most New Yorkers still aren’t convinced that the funds collected from a congestion pricing system would actually be dedicated to funding the MTA capital plan or other transit investments.  Indeed, only 43 percent of voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that congestion pricing funds will be used to improve mass transit, while 54 percent say this is "not too likely" or "not likely at all.”

This is 100% in synch with the Albany discussions that I wrote about  yesterday.  Every discussion had a version of the question: what are the benefits in my district, and how can I be sure that these investments will actually happen?  

As the new Governor, the Legislature, the Mayor and the City Council work out the details of a plan to fund the MTA’s 2008-2013 capital plan that includes congestion pricing, one key task will be finding a way to ensure that the congestion pricing funds are, in fact, dedicated to the City’s and the region’s transit needs.  And, legislators want to know exactly what investments are happening in their districts, so they can explain the benefits to their constituents.

Doing so will not only garner greater support for the program, but will help ensure that future New York straphangers will get the specific transit improvements they deserve and need.

Stay tuned.