Og11 Cr-114

[jeril842002]

114. According to the Tristate Transportation Authority, making certain
improvements to the main commuter rail line would increase ridership
dramatically. The authority plans to finance these improvements over the course
of five years by raising automobile tolls on the two highway bridges along the
route the rail line serves. Although the proposed improvements are indeed
needed, the authority’s plan for securing the necessary funds should be rejected
because it would unfairly force drivers to absorb the entire cost of something
from which they receive no benefit.
Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt on the effectiveness
of the authority’s plan to finance the proposed improvements by increasing
bridge tolls?
(A) Before the authority increases tolls on any of the area bridges, it is required by law to hold public hearings at which objections to the proposed increase
can be raised.
(B) Whenever bridge tolls are increased, the authority must pay a private
contractor to adjust the automated toll-collecting machines.
(C) Between the time a proposed toll increase is announced and the time the
increase is actually put into effect, many commuters buy more tokens than
usual to postpone the effects of the increase.
(D) When tolls were last increased on the two bridges in question, almost 20
percent of the regular commuter traffic switched to a slightly longer
alternative route that has since been improved.
(E) The chairman of the authority is a member of the Tristate Automobile Club,
which has registered strong opposition to the proposed toll increase.
One objection to this plan is that drivers will have to pay for something from
which they will not benefit.

SPOILER: I agree that Official Answer: D is correct. But i think even C is correct. What if hoarding of token increases to a great extent that it ultimately results in losses. Though far-fetched, it is possible. Isn't it?

[jeril842002]

Can someone explain?

[reply2spg]

IMO D.....C is wrong because at some point of the time commuters have to pay increased toll charge.....in case of D....if commuters are following long route then there is possibility that they can follow the same for the nxt 5 yrs, so that they could be able to avoid that increased toll.

Hope, this would answer your question.

[Project700Plus]

I get D. It makes sense that the commuters will use an alternate route to avoid the toll. More losses in this case because the commuters wont pay anything.

In C, the authority still gets revenue and eventually, the tokens will run out and the commuters will have to pay anyway.