Springfield Express has an opportunity to obtain a new route that would be traveled 20 times per month. The company believes it can sell seats at $ 175 on the route, but the load factor would be only 60 percent. Fixed cost would increase by $ 250,000 per month for additional personnel, additional passenger train cars, maintenance, and so on. Variable cost per passenger would remain at $ 70.
Should the company obtain the route?

How many passenger train cars must Springfield Express operate to earn pre-tax income of $ 120,000 per month on this route?If the load factor could be increased to 75 percent, how many passenger train cars must be operated to earn pre-tax income of $ 120,000 per month on this route?What qualitative factors should be considered by Springfield Express in making its decision about acquiring this route?