Computerization of engines has dramatically increased the fuel efficie

The blue part talks about economic factors now, and the highlighted part starts with a contrast word " However "

So, why will people prefer to travel by public transport ? Prethinking may lead us to the following -

1. Lesser travel time
2. Comparatively low cost to private transport

Option (C) talks in similar lines to our prethinking assumption no (2) , hence correct Answer must be (C)
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Under that logic would you not also include E?
I thought D could also be a possibility.

As per Option D it is specific to offices, where in we are discussing about people in general. As per option D only time is taken since commuting time can also be reduced by going in personal vehicle, as per option c it states about fares which in common sense we can analyse that if bus fares are so low people opt for it

VeritasKarishma, GMATNinja, Bunuel, @chiranjeevsingh- Are we eliminating D because the question is primarily based on the cost involved in private transportation vs. public transportation?

Option (D) talks about offices only. We don't know how many people going from suburb to city centre are going to office.

Even I had those 2 answers in mind. Which leads me to my question, why not E?

VeritasKarishma nightblade354 - can you let me know if my reasons for eliminating the follwing are correct -

Prethinking -
1 - buses are still cheaper (multiple people sharing the fare + computerisation)
2 - no parking in town
3 - fuel costs have risen sharply (eg. earlier 1 gallon was $5. Now 1 gallon is $10 or $12 so half a gallon is still as expensive if not more expensive)
4 - Express lane for buses

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
(Prethinking 3)

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
(straight out eliminate)

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
(Prethinking 1)

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
(We are assuming there are only offices + most can be 51% so eliminate)

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
(Prethinking 4 - but this gets neutralised because of long wait time (right???))

A and E are good options but C is a better option so I picked C.

Can you give me more solid grounds to eliminate A & E?

Hey, i am no expert but giving it a shot -
A - The fuel costs have increased faster than inflation but the fuel required is much less than what you needed 10 years ago (half) so it doesn't really explain why the preference hasn't changed. This could go either way so I rejected it - its not really a definite answer.

E - Totally agree with you, reduced commuting time has been nullified by other stuff like - long waits, rush hour traffics, etc.

Hope this helps!

Brian123

Thanks man. Good Luck with your GMAT!

Cars take half the fuel now. So travel is much more cost effective.
Many people still prefer buses despite long waits, rush-hour traffic, and inconvenience during winters.
Why?
To explain, we need something really bad about cars or something really good about buses (as compared to the other).

(A) The cost of fuel has increased faster than inflation.
Both, cars and buses need fuel. So its cost has increased for both. We don't know how it impacts each.

(B) The number of commuters in public transport buses has risen 10 percent every year in the last ten years.
Irrelevant.

(C) Computerization of bus engines has made buses more fuel-efficient, thus, accounting for inflation, significantly reducing the bus fares.
Bus fares have reduced significantly. Hence, even though cars have become more cost effective, buses might have become even cheaper. That could be the reason why people prefer buses.

(D) Most offices in the city center are close to bus stops but far from public parking areas.
We don't know how many travellers are office goers. Also, perhaps offices have their own private parking, we don't know.

(E) A new rapid transit lane has reduced commuting time for public transport buses.
There are long waits. So 'time' would not be the factor that is making people choose buses.

Answer (C)

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