WASHINGTON, DC – As Congress prepares to consider new freight rail mandates as part of the upcoming surface transportation markup, a new national poll commissioned by GoRail finds voters overwhelmingly turn against additional regulations once they learn the proposals could raise shipping costs, worsen supply chain pressure, and increase prices on already-strained American consumers.
The findings underscore the growing political risk surrounding efforts to revive major portions of the controversial Railway Safety Act – poorly targeted policies first pushed in the aftermath of the February 2023 East Palestine derailment, but which critics argue would impose billions in new operational costs on the freight rail system while failing to address the primary causes identified by federal investigators.
The survey, conducted by the national polling firm Co/efficient among 1,594 likely voters nationwide, found voters consistently favored decreasing freight rail regulations over increasing them once presented with the economic and operational tradeoffs tied to new federal mandates.
Among the key findings (which can be found here: https://bit.ly/GoRailPoll):
By a 49% to 26% margin, voters said regulations should be decreased when informed that proposed new mandates increase shipping costs, and those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers.
By a 50% to 25% margin, voters favored decreasing regulations after learning excessive rail mandates can push more freight onto trucks, increasing congestion, emissions, and highway accidents.
By a 46% to 29% margin, voters supported decreasing regulations after hearing freight rail moves goods more efficiently than trucks while reducing congestion and emissions.
Even when framed around safety concerns, voters still favored decreasing regulations by a 42% to 30% margin, once informed freight rail is already the safest way to move goods over land and that excessive mandates can increase costs and worsen congestion.
“These numbers show voters become far less supportive of new freight rail mandates once they understand those costs don’t stay inside the rail industry – they show up in higher prices for consumers and more pressure on the supply chain,” said Ryan Munce, president of Co/efficient. “In this economic environment, affordability matters.”
GoRail President Betsy Cantwell said the poll should serve as a warning sign for lawmakers as Congress moves forward with transportation legislation.
“At a time when families are already struggling with higher prices, Congress should be extremely cautious about imposing new freight rail mandates that risk driving costs even higher,” Cantwell said. “Freight railroads move goods efficiently, reduce congestion, and keep supply chains functioning–all while being the safest mode for moving freight on land. Legislators should be focused on affordability and reliability – not policies that could make both worse.”
The poll also found voters broadly recognize the importance of freight rail once presented with additional information about the industry’s role in the economy and supply chain efficiency. By a 43% to 29% margin, voters supported decreasing regulations after learning freight rail moves 40% of America’s long-distance freight and generates more than $220 billion annually in economic output.
The survey was conducted April 27-May 1, 2026, among 1,594 likely voters nationwide using mobile text responses and landline interviews. The margin of error was +/- 3.17%.
