Final answer:
The most common issue experienced by new buses shortly after being put into service is mechanical breakdowns. These breakdowns may occur due to reasons such as manufacturing defects or design errors.option C is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In response to the question regarding common issues experienced by buses shortly after being put into service, the correct answer is C) Mechanical breakdowns. This answer ties into the subject matter as the design team was tasked with creating a commuter vehicle that would be environmentally friendly, appealing to commuters, and compatible with existing transportation.
Yet in practice, new vehicles can encounter unexpected issues like mechanical breakdowns due to various reasons such as manufacturing defects, design errors, or just the teething problems that come with new technology.
Regarding historical context, the shift from multiple competing city bus companies to often a single subsidized, regulated monopoly could have been driven by a range of factors including economies of scale, regulatory decisions to streamline services, and the need for consistent and reliable public transport infrastructure. This move reflects a broader trend in urban planning and public policy.