Sponsored link
Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Sponsored link

City Beat: $1 billion fine for Google?

 

I’ve always thought San Francisco could use a Displacement and Neighborhood Impact Agency. I’ve argued that every major development, tax break, etc. should require not just an Environmental Impact Report but a Displacement Impact Report: How many San Franciscans will lose their homes, and how many nonprofits and small businesses will be forced out by the project? That way we could look at the tradeoffs: Is the Twitter tax break worth a few hundred evictions and commercial displacements?

So now, at least on the web, we have one. And the folks who have created it estimate that the fines Google and the other companies with private buses don’t pay for stopping in Muni bus stops (at $271 a pop for ordinary folks) are equal to $1 billon: There are more than 200 Muni stops that get used a total of 7,100 times a day. Add that up over two years (2011-2013) and you get a lot of cash. (more after the jump)

Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link

Sponsored link

Latest

Drama Masks: Keeping the monsters of the world at bay

Perk yourself up with 'Lost in Yonkers' or 'Compton's' riot. Meanwhile, Berkeley Rep's 'The Monsters' tells a sadly familiar tale.

Supes reject illegal conversion that turned four rental units into one mansion

Critical vote not to accept Sauter deal sends a message to speculators—but there are plenty of other examples that the city has ignored

You can double our reporting power! Our $50k Spring Bloom match drive is here

Help us save independent media, fight the billionaires, and keep government accountable.

Grab a free pass to see new doc ‘Lorne’

Catch a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary 'Saturday Night Live' producer—but act fast!

You might also likeRELATED