According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that con

According to the mayor, replacing old public buses and trains that connect the suburbs to the city would significantly increase the number of riders. He proposes financing the new buses and trains by raising tolls on the bridges that cars take into the city. Although the public buses and trains need to be replaced, the mayor's proposal for funding their replacement should be rejected because it unfairly forces drivers to pay for something from which they do not benefit.

Which of the following, if true, would provide the mayor with the strongest counterargument to the objection that his plan is unfair?


(A) Even with the proposed toll increase, the city's bridge tolls would be lower than those imposed in some other cities.

(B) The new buses and trains cannot be paid for by increasing rider fares because people would simply drive into the city instead.

(C) Drivers benefit from well-maintained bridges, and in this city, bridge maintenance is paid for by state taxes, not tolls.

(D) The bridges into the city are congested with an excessive number of vehicles, and drivers benefit when this congestion is decreased by people opting for public transportation.

(E) The only alternative to a toll increase is a city tax increase, which would affect all citizens equally.