Question

Direction: Read the following scenario and answer the questions that follow:
Licensed taxi drivers in the metropolitan city of Tropur in North India are up in arms at the emergence of appbased taxis. App based taxis are easy to obtain quickly, come in various capacities, are more comfortable to ride in than are licensed taxis. Moreover, payment can be made by debit/credit cards or online or even by cash wallets. Within a short time, these app based taxis have taken 30% of the total taxi market. The local taxi association implores the mayor of the city to do something to protect the business of licensed taxis.
What should the mayor do to mitigate this situation?

• A. Shut down most of the bus transport and lay off the personnel. After all, most conductors are rude and service is non-existent.
• B. Do nothing. The era of bus transport seems to be over with rising incomes and better alternatives.
• C. Introduce air-conditioned buses with no standing permitted and at regular times on most city routes
• D. Seek government intervention and request the state government to offset the financial losses suffered by the city’s bus transport corporation.
• E. Shut down loss making routes and offer a generous voluntary retirement scheme to all personnel who are laid off.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Option A is too extreme and borders on cruelty. Option B does not suggest any Solution at all – it infers that there is no Solution. Option D is at best a short-term measure. It does not directly address the problem of turning around the bus corporation’s finances. Option E assumes that all is lost as far as public bus transport is concerned. It is better if the mayor at least tries to turn things around by introducing comfortable air conditioned buses with regular timings so that more passengers opt for public buses.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

More and more youngsters are taking loans, investing in cars and opting to be part of app-based taxi companies to make some quick money. This is creating employment for the jobless youth but complaints about harassment, molestation of female passengers and poor service along with rude behaviour are on the rise. The mayor is once again asked to ensure safe, hassle free transportation by app-based taxis.