The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)System in Hong Kong Has Been

question 240

Essay

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)System in Hong Kong has been running significant losses.Transport Ministry officials have argued over whether to raise fares to combat the losses.One argument against a fare increase is that it will aggravate traffic congestion on the streets during peak commuter hours.Suppose that the current fare is $4 and the government is considering raising it to $6.Officials estimate that this reduces the number of rides purchased from 10,000 to 8,000 per day.
a.Using the midpoint formula, what is the estimated elasticity of demand for MRT rides?
b.What does this elasticity of demand suggest to you about what will happen to total revenue earned by the transit system if the fare increase happens?
c.Last year, the MRT system incurred a loss of $50,000 per day.Do you think the fare increase will resolve the deficit problem as well as Ministry officials anticipate? Explain.

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Definitions:

Equilibrium Price

The price point in the market where the amount of products offered meets the amount of products wanted.

Demand

The level of demand for a good or service that purchasers have the desire and financial ability to acquire at varying prices over a designated period.

Supply Curve

A graph that shows the relationship between the price of a good and the quantity of the good that producers are willing to sell at various prices.

Demand Curve

A visual diagram illustrating the connection between a product's price and the amount consumers are willing to purchase.