Computing giant IBM awarded a grant to the city of Baton Rouge to receive exclusive consultation from a team of the company’s experts to address the issue of public transportation in the city. Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden made the announcement Tuesday morning in downtown Baton Rouge, as CATS buses passed behind him in the roundabout of the North Boulevard Town Square.
Baton Rouge is one of only 16 cities and regions worldwide to receive a grant from IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge and one of only four in the United States.
The Smarter Cities Challenge is IBM’s single largest philanthropic program, said Jim Driesse, senior state executive for the company in Louisiana.
“This was a very, very competitive process,” Driesse said.
IBM’s team will spend three weeks in Baton Rouge later this year to comprehensively study the concern of efficient transportation in the area. Following their analyses, IBM will present the city with recommendations and a written plan set for implementation, according to a news release from the Holden administration.
Holden said the awarding of the IBM grant is “not in any way related” to the company’s software development center in the city.
“This is not a sales call by IBM,” Holden said.
Holden called Baton Rouge’s current transportation systems “outdated,” and he said he anticipated the studies would help the city cope with traffic congestion.
“We’ve outgrown our infrastructure in this region,” Holden said.
Holden also expressed excitement for the attention the transportation issue in Baton Rouge was going to receive because of the grant.
“At least the talk is going, which means the topic will never die,” Holden said.
Psychology sophomore Aris Suarez said public transit in Baton Rouge could be better managed.
“I hear it’s not that great,” Suarez said.
Political science junior Alle McNorton said she felt the city’s bus system was not as accessible as it could be.
“I think it’s practical for some people, but for others, it’s just not an option,” McNorton said.
Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks to reporters Tuesday, March 25, 2014, during a press conference at North Boulevard Town Square.
