To temper controversy caused by a private bus system that is a daily reminder of San Francisco's growing income disparity and gentrification, Google donated $6.8 million to fully fund the Free Muni For Low Income Youth bus program for at least the next two years, CNET reported.
Since its inception in March of 2013, the program has provided free bussing for low income youth (who apply and are given a special card if they meet certain requirements) throughout the area, according to its website.Meanwhile, Google has its own famous/infamous bus system that also transports its passengers for free, pays them massive amounts of money to stay eight hours or more at their destination, and the drops them off at the end of the day.
Google's gift not only represents continuation of a system that's served over 31,000 students, but nearly $7 million the state can put towards other services.
"With this unprecedented gift from Google, we can keep this successful pilot program running for at least two more years at no cost to taxpayers or Muni riders and free up critical funds for other vital Muni maintenance and services," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said of the largest private gift the city has ever received for public works. "Google is demonstrating with real action and real resources that they are a true partner in addressing our city's affordability crisis for lower and middle-income families."
Tech companies that pervade the San Francisco area haven't always gotten along. With Google in particular, community members have criticized their bus program for not having to pay when stopping at publicly designated spots, according to CNET.
"San Francisco residents are rightly frustrated that we don't pay more to use city bus stops," a Google spokesperson told CNET. "So we'll continue to work with the city on these fees, and in the meantime will fund Muni passes for low income students for the next two years."
