Although Ackerburg’s subway system is currently operating at a deficit

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FROM OG

Argument Evaluation

Situation Ackerburg's transit authority plans to lower subway fares, projecting that this will increase ridership by 10 percent and thereby reduce or eliminate the subway system's
operating deficit.


Reasoning What evidence would support the expectation that lowering subway fares will reduce the operating deficit? The passage says the additional income from the projected
increase in ridership will more than offset the decrease due to the lowered fares. The claim that lowering fares will reduce the operating deficit could be supported either
by additional evidence that lowering the fares will increase ridership at least as much as projected or by evidence that the plan will not increase overall operating expenses.

A The fact that fares have never been reduced provides no evidence about what would happen if they were reduced.

B This suggests that the planned fare reduction would not affect revenue from student riders, but it does not suggest how it would affect revenue from all other riders.

C These maintenance projects will probably increase the operating deficit, making it less likely that the fare reduction will reduce or eliminate that deficit.
D Correct. This indicates that the plan will not involve extra operating expenses for running trains and thus increases the likelihood that the plan will reduce the operating deficit.

E Ackerburg may differ from other cities in the region in ways that make the higher fares optimal for Ackerburg's subway system.

The correct answer is D.