Young Emerging Leaders

First, City Wire is 100% a private enterprise development. Personally, and professionally, I think the initiative is a great idea, it has merit, and I hope it succeeds. If the community as a whole will contribute content, perhaps it will catch on.

Second, I'm not quite sure what bus benches have to do with a privately-developed interactive website. In fact, I'm certain the two have absolutely nothing to do with each other. But hey, it's late on a Tuesday evening. I'm on vacation. I'll take a stab at it.

Let's get the issue of innovation out of the way first. A quick wiki search turns up this definition:

The term innovation may refer to both radical and incremental changes to products, processes or services. The often unspoken goal of innovation is to solve a problem.

Public transit riders in Fort Smith had a problem. More people are using public transportation. Older residents use the bus for doctors appointments, trips to the pharmacy, the library, or the grocery store. Younger residents get their children to child care and then go to work via public transit. I know this because I've ridden a complete route.

Each transit route makes dozens of stops. Few places are equipped with benches or sheltered areas. It's tough to stand in the heat and wait for a bus if you're 25, let alone 85.

Several months ago, a company came along and said, "We'll put x number of benches at your most high traffic locations, at no charge. We'll maintain the benches, we'll collect trash from any containers we install. All we want is the opportunity to sell advertising."

The program is relatively new, so we'll see if it works. 

Solving a problem. Incremental changes.

We still need more covered waiting areas for transit riders. Hopefully, the city can maximize some federal funding and help increase the number of benches and shelters to supplement the public private partnership with the company currently adding benches.

Innovation.

By the way, any YEL member who would like to take a one hour spin -- or less -- on a Fort Smith Transit route, let me know. I'll hook you up. It's an eye-opening experience.