Evaluating Public Transportation Claims

Medium Critical Reasoning Strengthening Data Arguments

A city’s public transportation system claims that it has reduced traffic congestion by 25% over the past year. The data supporting this claim was collected by analyzing traffic flow patterns during peak hours before and after the implementation of several new bus routes.

Some city officials, skeptical of the transportation system's success, argue that the reduction in congestion may be due to the rise in remote work as a result of the pandemic, rather than the new bus routes. To strengthen the argument that the reduction in congestion is indeed due to the bus routes, which of the following would provide the most support?

The city conducted a survey indicating that more commuters now prefer public transport over private vehicles.

Traffic congestion in nearby cities without similar bus route implementations increased during the same period.

The city reported an increase in public transport ridership coinciding with the implementation of the new bus routes.

Recent studies show that remote work has decreased overall urban traffic by similar percentages.

Hint

Submitted20.1K

Correct16.4K

% Correct82%