Question

Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service because low ridership caused total fares collected to be substantially lower than the cost of operating the service. However, the number of people living in communities near the Somerton train line has increased significantly this year. Therefore, potential ridership must also have increased, and so there is a good chance that restoring the Somerton train service this year would not result in serious deficits.
Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the rail executive's argument?


(A) Once rail service along a given route has been discontinued, there are substantial start-up costs associated with restoring service along that route.

(B) Most potential Somerton riders are unwilling to pay more for the train service than riders paid last year.

(C) Very few of the Somerton line's former daily commuters find the means of transportation that they now use as satisfactory as the train service had been.

(D) After the train service was discontinued last year, several stores and factories in Somerton went out of business and their properties have remained vacant.

(E) Several retail businesses that once each had a single store, located in the Somerton business district near the train station,now also have branches that are conveniently located in communities near Somerton

Answer 1

Answer:

(C) Very few of the Somerton line's former daily commuters find the means of transportation that they now use as satisfactory as the train service had been.

Explanation:

The executive at Somerton train service is considering the resumption of its train services. It has considered the rise in the population as a reason why the business will do well.  To strength its arguments, the executive must find another reason that indicates there will be demand for its services.

From the option given, if it true that Somerton line's former daily commuters are not satisfied with their current transport service providers, it implies  they will be happy with the return of the train service. The statement shows that there be demand for Somerton train services. This fact will strengthen the executives' argument for the resumption of operations.