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Google builds internet balloons and self-driving cars, a few train stations wouldn't be too terribly absurd for a big tech company. I don't think anyone is say
by Zikes 11y ago
Google builds internet balloons and self-driving cars, a few train stations wouldn't be too terribly absurd for a big tech company.
I don't think anyone is saying Facebook et al. should be expected or required to undertake municipal improvement programs, but in certain cases it really could be in their own best interest to do so.
- beambot 11y agoCalifornia's high speed rail project is estimated to cost $70B. That's like 15% of Google's entire market cap... I'm not sure trains (esp. in the Bay Area) are within the capability of even the largest internet companies. Plus: You'd probably require some level of imminent domain to seize land -- which would be wildly unpopular and generate a lot of bad PR.
- Zikes 11y agoI'm not sure that's a fair comparison. The original commenter's suggestion was to "modernize" a train route that runs near their campus. My assumption is that the route is currently functional, only missing the required stations and amenities necessary for relatively short-term passenger transport. I don't think high speed is called for in that situation, just anything capable of making a commute more bearable and less costly, therefore a conventional passenger train would likely suffice. Additionally, it would still be a primarily municipal project, for which Facebook (and perhaps other interested private parties) would only partially contribute to in monetary terms.