Elasticity cases, transport and vanity plates
Economists have estimated the following transportation elasticities. For each pair, explain possible reasons why the elasticities differ. a. elasticity of demand for buses is 0.23 during peak hours and 0.42 during off-peak hours b. elasticity of demand for buses is 0.7 in the short run and 1.5 in the long run c. elasticity or demand for toll roads is 4.7 for low-income commuters and 0.63 for high-income commuters.
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A study found that in California, where car vanity license plates cost $28.75, the elasticity of demand was 0.52. In Massachusetts, where vanity plates cost $50, the elasticity of demand was 3.52. a. Assuming vanity plates have zero production cost, was each state collecting the maximum revenue it could from vanity plates? Explain your reasoning. b. What recommendation would you have for each state to maximize revenue? c. Which state was most likely to be following a political unsupportable policy?