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Difficulty: MediumStatement and Arguments

Read the following statement and the two arguments given below, then evaluate the logical strength of each argument.

Statement: Should municipal public transit agencies completely eliminate physical paper tickets and transition exclusively to smartphone-based digital ticketing across all city bus services?

Arguments:
I. Yes; an exclusive digital ticketing system prevents revenue leakage, lowers operational paper waste, and improves boarding efficiency through real-time transit data.
II. No; a mandatory digital-only policy creates severe accessibility barriers for low-income commuters and elderly citizens who may lack smartphones or reliable internet access.

Which of the following conclusions regarding the strength of these arguments is correct?

  1. A
    Only argument I is strong
  2. B
    Only argument II is strong
  3. C
    Neither argument I nor argument II is strong
  4. Both arguments I and II are strongAnswer

Answer

Both arguments I and II are strong.
The conclusion that both arguments are strong is correct because each argument addresses vital, distinct facets of governance. The affirmative argument relies on measurable improvements in efficiency, environmental impact, and fiscal management. The negative argument highlights critical socio-economic barriers and fundamental inclusivity principles in public utility delivery. Since both arguments are realistic, directly relevant to the prompt, and non-trivial, both are logically strong.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Argument I for logical strength
Argument I is strong
It addresses direct benefits of municipal policy, specifically operational efficiency, financial integrity, and environmental impact, supported by logical cause-and-effect reasoning.
2
Analyze Argument II for logical strength
Argument II is strong
It presents a substantial practical drawback regarding public policy implementation, highlighting vulnerable demographics who would face exclusion under an exclusive digital transition.
3
Synthesize the evaluation of both arguments
Both arguments are independently compelling and relevant
In administrative policy evaluation, opposing arguments can both be strong if they are based on realistic, non-trivial facts and highlight valid competing priorities (efficiency vs. accessibility).

Key Concept

Evaluation of Strong vs. Weak Arguments in Public Policy
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Topics

Statement and Arguments

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