Google Shuttles – Privatizing Mass Transit?
A recent New York Times article describes what may become the next big thing in the competitive hi-tech world – employee shuttles on steroids. Google is recruiting and retaining skilled employees by paying attention to quality of life matters that really matter. And spending untold hours behind the wheel in gridlocked traffic is one of the most significant factors in reducing that quality. So, Google shuttles about 1,200 employees on 32 buses each workday to and from their famed "Googleplex" headquaters in Mountain View.
Will this become commonplace in other metropolitan areas besides the Bay Area, with its world-class gridlock? Probably not commonplace, but other companies may follow suit. And if this does happen, how will it impact public transit? Will there be even less demand, so less service and greater cost? A trend worth watching.