Can Google be part of the solution?

Mayor Lee, Supervisors & SFMTA Announce $6.8 Million Gift from Google to Fund Free Muni for Low Income Youth

For those who haven't heard, Google and other local technology companies (based in Mountain View) have been under criticism recently because of concerns over gentrification and rising costs of living in San Francisco.  Google and other tech services provide a shuttle bus service for their workers to and from San Francisco to Silicon Valley. The Google Bus has become a symbol of inequality; rental prices within walkable distance of the shuttle stops are rising, as these wealthy tech industry workers move into the neighborhood at the expense of current residents.  By paying for private transportation, these corporations are using a private solution to a public problem.  They should not fight for adequate transportation for only themselves, but for the city as well.

Currently, there has been extreme backlash and violent protests at the shuttle stops of these buses because the Google buses have been sharing permits with public shuttles. In January, Muni approved of a program that would charge these Google/tech company buses $1 for every stop that they make in the city. It would cover shuttles for UCSF and other colleges, as well as bus services operating for large office buildings and the Silicon Valley tech companies.  However, this was still not well received because many believe that Google Buses are only fueling the displacement of tenants unable to pay rents due to the influx of highly paid tech workers.

In response to these backlashes, Google announced a $6.8 million gift to fund free Muni bus rides for the low income youth, a program that has been implemented March 2013.  The fund will help pay for at least two more years, with no cost to taxpayers or Muni drivers, which also frees up funds that can be used for maintenance fees.

While this is great for low income youth because it helps them get to school and work, I hope Google does not think that shoving money into San Francisco will solve their current mess against protests and that their intentions are pure.  I do think that with Google's money and resources, it is possible for them to be part of the solution.  Although donating large amounts of money to address these issues is helpful, I hope that Google and the other tech companies can work together to tackle other issues, such as tenant protections, and the city's affordability.