Given below is a statement followed by four possible reasons numbered I and IV. Which of the four can explain the statement:

A major metropolitan city witnessed a significant drop in the number of people using public transport, despite the expansion of bus routes and services.

(I) The bus fares remained unchanged despite reduction in fuel prices
(II) The GST on two-wheelers and four-wheelers was reduced by the government.
(III) Entry of private vehicles into central business hubs was banned during rush hours.
(IV) Number of accidents involving public transport vehicles increased.

(I) The bus fares remained unchanged despite reduction in fuel prices

This can be a possible reason for the reduction of the number of people using the bus (public transport) as people may expect the reduction in price of bus fares if fuel prices are reduced.

(II) The GST on two-wheelers and four-wheelers was reduced by the government.

If the tax is reduced on private vehicles, people might prefer to buy and travel by private vehicles consequently reducing the number of people travelling by public transport and hence this can be a possible reason.

(III) Entry of private vehicles into central business hubs was banned during rush hours.

This is not the reason for reduction in number of people travelling by public transport. Instead, if this statement is true, it would cause the increase in the number of people using public transport as private vehicles would be banned in rush hours into central business hubs which is usually a crowded area and people usually travel there.

(IV) Number of accidents involving public transport vehicles increased.

This is definitely the reason for the reduction in number of people using public transport. If accidents are increasing involving public transport, people would avoid travelling by it.

Thus only (I), (II) and (IV) are the proper explanation of the given statement.