A new survey shows overwhelming support for changes to commuter rail service and related investments, including a desire to regionalize the mass transit system.

Three-quarters of residents across Massachusetts support transitioning to a “regional rail” model with more frequent service to and from Boston throughout the day, at night and on weekends, according to the MassINC poll, which surveyed 1,430 registered voters across the state from 16 gateway cities during the month of August.

Eighty-four percent of those polled supported electrifying the rail system; 76 percent support extending rail to Western Massachusetts and the South Coast; and 81 percent support building the North South Rail Link.

In shifting the commuter rail towards a regional system, 85 percent of those polled believe associated changes would likely increase train ridership; 80 percent cited decreased traffic congestion; 69 percent cited fewer greenhouse gas emissions; and 80 percent thought the shift would spread jobs to places along the rail lines beyond Boston.

"Residents seem to appreciate the potential of this the rail system to do more than it does right now," said Steve Koczela, president of MassINC Polling Group. "They see rail as part of the solution to other problems, too: congestion, climate, and economic development outside Boston."

State Sen. Eric P. Lesser, D-Longmeadow, who’s been pushing for a rail connection in Western Massachusetts, said the overwhelming support for changes to the commuter rail services presents “a mandate for all of us on Beacon Hill to finally take bold action and address the issue that is on the forefront of our constituents’ minds.”

“We are in the midst of a transportation crisis and urgency is required,” Lesser said, in a statement. “People can’t get to work; they can’t get home; they simply can’t move around. They are sick of it. We are out of excuses. It is time to act.”

The survey follows the release of a report by a transit advocacy group, TransitMatters, that presented a vision for a fast, frequent, electrified intercity rail network with modernized operating practices and minor track upgrades.

The MassINC poll also shows residents support tapping into potential funding sources to help pay for needed changes, including contributions from real estate development near rail stations, regional ballot initiatives, and the multi-state Transportation Climate Initiative, among others.