Which of the following would most weaken the author's first reply?
Congestion is a problem of too many people wanting the same road at the same time. Charging for road use at busy times would reduce demand and speed traffic, and economists have long argued for it. Opponents say that it is unfair to those on low incomes, who would be priced off the road. That deserves a reply. The first is that those on low incomes are less likely to own cars, and are the main users of buses that would run faster. The second is that the revenue could be used to improve public transport and to compensate those who must travel at peak times. A charge that is badly designed would harm the poor; it does not follow that every charge would.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Evidence that many low-income workers depend on cars to reach jobs that buses do not serve
- Step 1: The reply assumes low-income people mostly use buses that road pricing would speed up.
- Step 2: If many depend on cars to reach jobs buses do not serve, they would be hit by the charge.
Answer
Evidence that many low-income workers depend on cars to reach jobs that buses do not serve.
Why not the others: Bus costs, heavy traffic, economists' views and transport improvements do not show that the poor depend on cars.
Practise more Transport.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed LNAT mock tests.