RTA Service Enhancements Begin This Month
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) riders this month began experiencing more frequent service in New Orleans East and Algiers, and enjoying extra hours of operation on the Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry, the RTA has announced.
"I want to thank the RTA for listening to our residents as well as the leadership of the City of New Orleans. They have implemented these enhanced services, providing improved access and more transportation options for the community, especially in previously under-served areas of Algiers and New Orleans East," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "Transportation is one of my top priorities, and when I took office, I created the City’s first Office of Transportation and prioritized RTA. Transportation is infrastructure, and my administration is ensuring that our infrastructure is accessible, equitable, safe and efficient for all. We are looking at this through an equity lens, and appreciate how this expanded service will help those residents most in need."
The new service enhancements will primarily be helping transit riders who live in New Orleans East, Algiers, and those who ride the Canal Street Ferry. Many of them are late-night hospitality workers who have been asking for more frequent bus service and more hours on the ferry in order to get to and from work much easier.
The public comment process for these service enhancements officially kicked off during the RTA’s May 28, 2019, board meeting. The first public engagement meeting was held June 5, 2019, at the Riders Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting. During the July 23, RTA Board meeting, board commissioners approved the services presented below.
Community members have had the opportunity to provide comments during various public meetings, community outreach events and through the RTA website. Ultimately, the four services below were advanced for implementation and went into effect Sunday, Sept. 1.
New Orleans East and Algiers neighbors/leaders, as well as ferry supporters, had been asking for more service to improve transportation to and from their neighborhoods. On Aug. 21, the Authority held its final public hearing on implementing the service enhancements specified below. A majority of community members were supportive of the enhancements and wanted to see them move forward.
New Orleans East Service Enhancements
- 63-New Orleans East Owl: This bus line will provide service every 30 minutes. (Currently, service is provided every 60 minutes.)
- 64-Lake Forest Express & 65-Read-Crowder Express: Each bus line will provide service every 30 minutes weekdays, all day long. On weekdays, the two bus lines will also be broken into two separate lines and operate independently both inbound and outbound. (Currently, service is provided every 30 minutes, during AM and PM peak hours.)
Algiers Service Enhancements
- 114-General DeGaulle-Sullen & 115-General DeGaulle-Tullis – Each bus line will provide service every 25-30 minutes, during the following peak times: 6 a.m.-10 a.m. and 3:20 p.m.-7:25 p.m. (Currently, each bus line provides service every 45 minutes.)
Ferry Service Enhancement
- Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry – Service will begin every morning at 6 a.m., daily. (Currently, ferry service begins at 10 a.m. on weekends).
To learn more, visit www.RTAforward.org or call Rideline at 504-248-3900.
Since taking office, Mayor Cantrell has appointed four new RTA Commissioners: Laura Bryan, Fred Neal, Mark Raymond and Art Walton. Commissioners Bryan and Walton are senior staff in the Cantrell Administration who facilitate closer coordination between the RTA and City; Commissioner Neal is a long-time transit advocate and regular transit user; and Vice Chair Raymond is an advocate for people with disabilities.
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