Premise - The subway system in New City has recently been running a severe budget deficit. Analysts have concluded that, to avoid a crisis, subway revenues must increase by 50% from the current level, beginning with the coming quarter. Subway riders are currently charged a flat fare per ride

Conclusion - the chairperson of New City's transit authority has concluded that a 50% increase in this fare, effective at the beginning of the coming quarter, will be sufficient to avert any crisis.

A Subway fares are paid with single-ride tokens that are purchased in advance and do not expire. (Weakens)
B On the most heavily traveled routes in New City's downtown, express bus fares range from 25 to 40 percent greater than current subway fares. (Weakens)
C Under New City's tax code, subway fare increases of more than 25 percent trigger reductions in the amount of tax money allocated to the subway system. (Weakens)
D New City's economy is adding many more jobs in suburban areas, which are inaccessible by subway, than in the urban areas that the subway system serves. (No effect)
E Mobile phones, upon which a significant percentage of New City's workers have come to depend for essential communication while commuting, will be banned on the subway from the coming quarter onward (Weakens)