NEW HERE? LEARN MORE
closeclose
Last visit was: 26 Apr 2024, 13:29 It is currently 26 Apr 2024, 13:29
Decision Tracker
My Rewards
New posts
New comers' posts

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel

Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service

SORT BY:
Date
Kudos
Tags:
Find Similar Topics 
Show Tags
Hide Tags
User avatar
L
NandishSS
Director
Director
Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Posts: 738
Own Kudos [?]: 1586 [46]
Given Kudos: 579
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GPA: 3.35
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Send PM
Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 19 Dec 2018, 05:27
11
Kudos
35
Bookmarks
00:00
A
B
C
D
E

Difficulty:

35% (medium)

Question Stats:

74% (01:49) correct 26% (02:06) wrong based on 1827 sessions
Hide Show timer Statistics
Rail Executive: 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
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
C

Originally posted by NandishSS on 24 Jul 2016, 00:39.
Last edited by Bunuel on 19 Dec 2018, 05:27, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
L
abhimahna
Board of Directors
Joined: 18 Jul 2015
Status:Emory Goizueta Alum
Posts: 3600
Own Kudos [?]: 5428 [5]
Given Kudos: 346
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   24 Jul 2016, 01:19
4
Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Expert Reply
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS


We have to find something that strengths that restoring the Somerton train service would not result in any deficits.

A)Once rail service along a given route has been discontinued, there are substantial start-up costs associated with restoring service along that route.--> Irrelevant. No relation to the conclusion.
B)Most potential Somerton riders are unwilling to pay more for the train service than riders paid last year. --> The argument never states that the train charges would be more than it was last year. Irrelevant.
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. --> If only few commuters ate satisfied with the current commuting means, it implies they may be willing to use the train again to commute. Hence, strengths the argument.
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. --. No reason to why restoring the trains would not have negative impact.
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 --.> Weaken the conclusion by stating that people might not need to commute to get to their job locations/shopping stores.
General Discussion
avatar
S
Konstantin1983
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 307
Own Kudos [?]: 300 [1]
Given Kudos: 353
Location: Russian Federation
Concentration: General Management, Economics
GMAT 1: 640 Q44 V33
WE:Sales (Telecommunications)
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   02 Aug 2016, 12:49
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS


We need to find something that shows that people are willing to use rail service
A. Start-up costs? So what?
B.Willingness to pay no more than riders paid last year doesn't mean that people will like new rail
C. Correct. If people are not satisfied with current means of transportation then they are likely to use rail services
D.Stores and factories don't buy tickets
E.Same as D
avatar
S
nayanparikh
Intern
Intern
Joined: 08 Nov 2015
Posts: 39
Own Kudos [?]: 51 [0]
Given Kudos: 29
GMAT 1: 460 Q32 V22
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   03 Aug 2016, 05:17
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS




The correct answer is C. The reason that Rail Executive feels that there is no reliable transportation from Somerton rail station that the commuters can use for daily commute. Hence once the train service is restored ridership would definitely increase. Hence the answer C.

-----------------------------------
Don't forget to give Kudos.
User avatar
B
abrakadabra21
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 07 Sep 2014
Posts: 261
Own Kudos [?]: 170 [0]
Given Kudos: 342
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: Yale '18 ISB '18 (D) Judge"18
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   19 Aug 2016, 23:43
Rail Executive: 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.

Deficit will occur if cost of running the service is more than the revenue generated.
Revenue = no. of ridership*fare per passenger.

Fare per passenger can depend on on no. of miles or stop.

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

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. Strenthen

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. Weakener
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. irrelevant.
User avatar
L
MBAPrepCoach
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 24 Mar 2015
Status:MBA Admissions Consultant
Affiliations: MBA Prep Coach
Posts: 3700
Own Kudos [?]: 1425 [1]
Given Kudos: 570
Location: United States
Farrell Nelson: MBA
Schools: Insead Sept19 Intake HEC Sept19 intake IMD '20 Kellogg '21 CBS '21 LBS '21
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   20 Aug 2016, 00:22
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
The Crux of this is to figure out the scope shift between more people and more Riders. I ask myself, what would make it more likely that the people who moved in are likely to be riders? The answer is most likely to have something about riders and transportation.

If it doesn't it's very likely to be out of the scope.

So I first look at answers that mention Riders.

That narrows it down to B & C, and B is basically talking about something that isn't relevant.

C is correct because it stating that they can recoup the previous riders.

If they cannot recoup the previous writers, who cares about the new people right?

They are unlikely to stay in business and avoid deficits if they can't get those folks back on board.

Farrell Dyan Hehn, MBA
Admissions Consultant & Verbal Strategist MBAPrepCoach.com
avatar
B
robu
Manager
Manager
Joined: 03 Dec 2014
Posts: 74
Own Kudos [?]: 157 [0]
Given Kudos: 391
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Leadership
Schools: IIMA ISB '17 INSEAD Jan '17
GMAT 1: 620 Q48 V27
GPA: 1.9
WE:Engineering (Energy and Utilities)
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   07 Sep 2016, 22:03
nayanparikh wrote:
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS




The correct answer is C. The reason that Rail Executive feels that there is no reliable transportation from Somerton rail station that the commuters can use for daily commute. Hence once the train service is restored ridership would definitely increase. Hence the answer C.

-----------------------------------
Don't forget to give Kudos.



but rail is also a means of transportation. in that way it is weakening the argument? am i correct?
User avatar
G
sayantanc2k
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   05 Jan 2017, 19:06
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
robu wrote:
nayanparikh wrote:
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS




The correct answer is C. The reason that Rail Executive feels that there is no reliable transportation from Somerton rail station that the commuters can use for daily commute. Hence once the train service is restored ridership would definitely increase. Hence the answer C.

-----------------------------------
Don't forget to give Kudos.



but rail is also a means of transportation. in that way it is weakening the argument? am i correct?


It is given in the passage that the train service has been discontinued last year. Hence the "means of transportation that they now use" mentioned in option C does not include the train service.
User avatar
S
saurabhsavant
Manager
Manager
Joined: 27 Aug 2016
Posts: 74
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 149
Location: India
Schools: HEC Montreal '21
GMAT 1: 670 Q47 V37
GPA: 3
WE:Engineering (Energy and Utilities)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   11 Feb 2017, 00:07
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS


HI
between C and E i chose E because C is talking only baout the customers of Somerton rail service. But number of these customers was already very low because of which the service was clsoed. Therefore, even if "ALL" the customers return to the rail service no "NEW CUSTOMERS" are being added. So the situation remains same...In contrast "E" is giving a possibility of "INCREASE" in the numer of customers.
Had it been a DS question "both are required---option c" could have been correct, but here I think E is better....

Please help by indicating the flaw in my reasoning...
Thanx
User avatar
G
sayantanc2k
CR Moderator
Joined: 14 Dec 2013
Posts: 2413
Own Kudos [?]: 15266 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Location: Germany
Schools:
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V47
WE:Corporate Finance (Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)
Send PM
GMAT ToolKit User
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   11 Feb 2017, 13:18
1
Kudos
Expert Reply
saurabhsavant wrote:
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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

Please explain your line of reasoning and get KUDOS


HI
between C and E i chose E because C is talking only baout the customers of Somerton rail service. But number of these customers was already very low because of which the service was clsoed. Therefore, even if "ALL" the customers return to the rail service no "NEW CUSTOMERS" are being added. So the situation remains same...In contrast "E" is giving a possibility of "INCREASE" in the numer of customers.
Had it been a DS question "both are required---option c" could have been correct, but here I think E is better....

Please help by indicating the flaw in my reasoning...
Thanx


The passage already indicates that "people living in communities near the Somerton train line has increased significantly this year." Therefore your reason for eliminating C is incorrect.

The fact that the stores have branches in the district does not contribute to increase in ridership of the train service.
User avatar
L
dcummins
VP
VP
Joined: 14 Feb 2017
Posts: 1115
Own Kudos [?]: 2164 [0]
Given Kudos: 368
Location: Australia
Concentration: Technology, Strategy
Schools: INSEAD Sept'21 Intake (WA$) Melbourne (A$) AGSM (A$) Kellogg '23 (WL) Said '22 (A$) CBS '23 (D) Booth '23 (D) Anderson '23 (WL) Cambridge '22 (WL) LBS '23 (D) Stern '24 (WA)
GMAT 1: 560 Q41 V26
GMAT 2: 550 Q43 V23
GMAT 3: 650 Q47 V33
GMAT 4: 650 Q44 V36
GMAT 5: 600 Q38 V35
GMAT 6: 710 Q47 V41
WE:Management Consulting (Consulting)
Send PM
Reviews Badge
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   10 Dec 2018, 20:50
Conclusion: Restoring the train ride will not result in deficits. That is there will be sufficient rail patrons to cover the costs of operating the rail.

A)Once rail service along a given route has been discontinued, there are substantial start-up costs associated with restoring service along that route.
180 - weakens the conclusion. If it costs a lot more to start up the service again then it would likely be a long time before the railway recovers the costs.

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

Neither strengthens nor weakens. Are they willing to pay the same? If yes, then our argument holds because we background context states that the general population has increased so there is greater potential ridership.
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.
This means that commuters are dissatisfied with their current mode of transportation, and so they are likely to use the trains again/ first time. Sufficient

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.
Irrelevant
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
Irrelevant
avatar
atrayee345
Intern
Intern
Joined: 19 Dec 2018
Posts: 34
Own Kudos [?]: 10 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   19 Dec 2018, 05:24
Conclusion: Somerton train service will be in profits this year because the living in communities near Somerton have increased significantly.
The argument states that Somerton train service was in serious deficits because of low ridership. Now that people living near Somerton have increase, Officials think that restoring Somerton train service is a good idea and it would be profitable. This is only possible if people living near Somerton prefer train rides over other transport. Increase in number of people living near Somerton will increase the revenue of Somerton train service only if those additional people take train rides.
Choice C states that only few people find any other transportation mode as efficient as good as train service. So, they are supposed to take train rides if the Somerton train service is restored. This statement best strengthens the argument. Hence, C is the answer.
avatar
B
meenakshimiyer
Intern
Intern
Joined: 12 Jan 2019
Posts: 35
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   12 Jan 2019, 22:55
Conclusion: Somerton train service will be in profits this year because the living in communities near Somerton have increased significantly.
The argument states that Somerton train service was in serious deficits because of low ridership. Now that people living near Somerton have increase, Officials think that restoring Somerton train service is a good idea and it would be profitable. This is only possible if people living near Somerton prefer train rides over other transport. Increase in number of people living near Somerton will increase the revenue of Somerton train service only if those additional people take train rides.
Choice C states that only few people find any other transportation mode as efficient as good as train service. So, they are supposed to take train rides if the Somerton train service is restored. This statement best strengthens the argument. Hence, C is the answer.
User avatar
G
Iwillget770
Manager
Manager
Joined: 25 Jul 2023
Posts: 106
Own Kudos [?]: 138 [0]
Given Kudos: 63
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   30 Oct 2023, 05:39
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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


Hi KarishmaB ,

Option C :

(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.

So say 100 people were the former daily commuter. Out of 100 , only 10 find other means of transportation satisfactory . So these 10 wont return back to use Somerton Train. Hence, if Somerton Train service is restored only 90 people will use it.

Option C talks about OLD riders. Option C doesnot give us any information whether New Riders will be added or not.

WHEREAS

Option E:

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

It says that the retail businesses have opened their branches that are located in communities near Somerton. So , people will need to travel to work here.
Consequently, Ridership will increase.

Hence I chose E over C

Regards
User avatar
L
KarishmaB
Tutor
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Posts: 14831
Own Kudos [?]: 64940 [0]
Given Kudos: 427
Location: Pune, India
Send PM
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink] New post   31 Oct 2023, 00:48
Expert Reply
Iwillget770 wrote:
NandishSS wrote:
Rail Executive: 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


Hi KarishmaB ,

Option C :

(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.

So say 100 people were the former daily commuter. Out of 100 , only 10 find other means of transportation satisfactory . So these 10 wont return back to use Somerton Train. Hence, if Somerton Train service is restored only 90 people will use it.

Option C talks about OLD riders. Option C doesnot give us any information whether New Riders will be added or not.

WHEREAS

Option E:

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

It says that the retail businesses have opened their branches that are located in communities near Somerton. So , people will need to travel to work here.
Consequently, Ridership will increase.

Hence I chose E over C

Regards


(C), note the intent of the author - very few people found other satisfactory means of transport. This means there aren’t other satisfactory means of transport available in that area. So if number of potential train users has increased, these people are likely to use the train, if available. Other means are not that satisfactory. It strengthens the conclusion.

(E) has dual impact.
When a store has more branches, fewer customers need to travel to reach that store. But within the store branches, some business travel is involved. But it seems reasonable to assume that clients to the store will far outnumber business travellers. Hence option (E) is likely to weaken the conclusion.

Posted from my mobile device
GMAT Club Bot
gmatclubot
Re: Rail Executive: Last year we discontinued our Somerton train service [#permalink]
31 Oct 2023, 00:48
Moderators:
GMATNinja
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
6923 posts
GMATNinjaTwo
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
238 posts
mysterymanrog
CR Forum Moderator
832 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne
Main navigation
GMAT Resources
Partners
MBA Resources
www.gmac.com|www.mba.com | | GMAT Club Rules | Terms and Conditions