essay - GMAT: Argument 29

The following appeared in the editorial section of a local newspaper:

Commuter use of the new subway train is exceeding the transit company fs projections. However, commuter use of the shuttle buses that transport people to the subway stations is below the projected volume. If the transit company expects commuters to ride the shuttle buses to the subway rather than drive there, it must either reduce the shuttle bus fares or increase the price of parking at the subway stations.

Discuss how well reasoned . . . etc.

Answer:
Although commuter use of the new subway service exceeds the transit company's expectation, the one of the shuttle bus service underperforms the expectation. In order to respond to this problem, the author of this editorial article concludes that the transit company has to reduce the fare of the shuttle bus service or increase the price of parking lots near subway stations. The argument, however, has an unwarranted assumption and fallacious reasoning.

Presumably, the author presupposes that the current situation is caused by cost-related factors. That is to say, due to the high fare of shuttle bus, commuters choose instead to use their cars to reach the subway station. And, due to the low price of the parking lots near the subway station, commuters choose to use their cars. This assumption is not only unwarranted but also dangerous. First, any evidence is not shown to assume that cost-related factors cause the current situation. That is, an insufficient number of shuttle buses, for instance, may cause this situation. Or, the area coverage also may be a possible negative factor causing the number of shuttle bus users down. Also, this type of wrong assumption would cause catastrophic situation.

Assuming that the assumption, which is that the downing power is costs, is right, yet still the author misses several important factors. First, he ignores that side effect may be caused. Remember, the problem is only for commuters. If the price of the parking lots @increase, those who are not commuters would get trouble. Therefore, at least, the author needs to mention this negative side effect.

In conclusion, since the argument has an unwarranted assumption and fallacious reasoning, he fails to convince the readers.