A survey of Gungahlin residents - those set to benefit the most from the ACT government's proposed light rail - has revealed nearly 70 per cent plan to use the tram.
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More than 1300 Gungahlin residents completed the survey, conducted by the Gungahlin Community Council, and 67 per cent of respondents said they would use the light rail for their work commute.
Gungahlin Community Council vice president Peter Elford said residents got most vocal when asked about roads and transport.
"This is not surprising when you learn that 40 per cent of Gungahlin commuters need to travel into Civic or the northside and 90 per cent of commuters currently use their own car rather than another form of transport," he said.
"There is clearly a view that light rail could be a solution to the often slow and congested commute into the city."
The report illustrates the city divide over the proposal, contrasting with an October survey from Tuggeranong, where light rail will not reach under current plans.
In that survey, by The Canberra Times, nearly 70 per cent of Tuggeranong residents said the capital did not need light rail.
ACT Minister for Capital Metro Simon Corbell welcomed the Community Council survey.
"With increasing traffic congestion and travel times from Gungahlin to the city, survey respondents see light rail as the solution, not only to their slow commute, but also to help improve the bus system, resolve parking issues...within the town centre," he said.
The ACT opposition has long opposed the project, citing its cost and saying only a small proportion of the capital's population will benefit.
The Gungahlin council is also using Wednesday's survey to push for more political representation.
"The community wants to be better represented and 85 per cent of respondents were in favour of Gungahlin having its own five-seat electorate," Mr Elford said.
The ACT Electoral Commission's population projections for 2016 revealed late last year that Gungahlin fell short of the required numbers to form an electorate, even with its fast growth.
This year, the ACT assembly swore in its first MLA from the burgeoning district, Meegan Fitzharris.
In the council's survey, residents also voted overwhelmingly for the Gungahlin Health Care Centre to be upgraded to a Nurse Walk-in Centre.
