SAVE THE DATE: New Links Phase II
Community Meetings Begin (Feb. 11)
NEW ORLEANS – The New Links regional transit network redesign process will kick into high gear next week with a second phase of community meetings to show residents proposed concepts for an updated regional transit network.
The New Links team will begin Phase II of the project on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the New Orleans Main Library (10:30 a.m.-noon). At this meeting, RPC staff will present three service concepts for how bus and streetcar service could be redesigned using existing resources. These concepts were designed around feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders and citizens during a robust Phase 1 outreach initiative in the spring and summer of 2019.
“We are excited to continue the hard work of this partnership between the City of New Orleans’ key transportation leaders and those in our neighboring parishes, to show real transit network concepts based on extensive public engagement, surveying, and data collection and give residents another chance to engage in moving the work forward,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Together we are working to re-imagine regional transit, which fits in our vision to create accessible, equitable, and connected transportation options for all of our residents.”
The meeting will include a visual presentation that will be narrated by the project team, followed by questions and answers and an “open house” period to interact with the project team and provide feedback on the service concepts. Special remarks will be given by Mayor Cantrell, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee-Sheng, and RTA CEO Alex Wiggins. Tuesday’s meeting will serve as the launch of Phase II of the project, which will include six weeks of intensive public outreach to bring service concepts to the public and gather feedback on community priorities in all three parishes.
“The New Orleans RTA is committed to working with our partners to build a transportation system that is reliable, regional and equitable because we understand that a transit system without regional connections is not viable,” said Alex Z. Wiggins, CEO of the New Orleans RTA. “The New Links study is critical as we build a transportation system to meet rider needs of today but also prepares for the anticipated transit needs 10, 20 and even 30 years down the road.”
“Our goal is public transportation that is not only better, but the best way to get to work, school, doctor appointments, wherever people need to be,” said Regional Planning Commission Deputy Director Jason Sappington. “This goal isn’t possible without your voice, so I encourage everyone who wants a say in how public transit serves our region to participate in this important phase of the New Links project.”
“Jefferson Parish and President Cynthia Lee Sheng are committed to working with Orleans and St. Bernard parishes to develop a true Regional Transit System for the greater community, which will benefit all our riders,” said JeT Director Ninette Barrios. “We are excited about joining forces and recognize we are stronger together.”
The New Links team has been studying each bus, streetcar and ferry line in the New Orleans region while working with the public to understand what riders and stakeholders need from public transportation. At the end of the project, the New Links team will propose a redesigned transit network with specific changes designed to make public transportation work better for riders.
Here is the schedule for the meetings:
Tuesday, Feb. 11
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
New Orleans Downtown Library (219 Loyola Ave. New Orleans, LA 70112)
Wednesday, Feb. 12
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Jefferson Transit Headquarters at Wilty Terminal (21 Westbank Expwy.; Westbank Expressway at Milton Street; Gretna, LA 70053)
Thursday, Feb. 13
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
East New Orleans Public Library (5641 Read Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70127)
There will also be a series of “pop-up” community meetings available to RTA riders on-site:
Week of February 10-14
Wednesday, Feb. 12
8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Wilty Terminal (prior to Wilty Terminal kickoff)
Thursday, Feb. 13
7 a.m.-9 a.m.
Duncan Plaza
Week of Feb. 17-23
Wednesday, Feb. 19
3 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cemeteries Transit Center
Thursday, Feb. 20
7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Duncan Plaza
Week of Feb. 24-28
Wednesday, Feb. 26
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
94 Broad Ride-Along (Meet at RTA)
Thursday, Feb. 27
7 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Duncan Plaza
Week of March 2-6
Wednesday, March 4
3 p.m.5:30 a.m.
Wilty Terminal
Thursday, March 5
7 a.m.-9 a.m.
Duncan Plaza
Week of March 9-13
Thursday, March 12
7 a.m.-9 a.m.
Duncan Plaza
Thursday, March 12
12 p.m.-2 a.m.
Duncan Plaza (late-night)
Here are the parameters of the three concepts:
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Concept A: This concept will look the most similar to the current network, but with tweaks to increase connectivity and improve on-time performance
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Concept B: This concept will show a network reoriented around multiple bus lines that come every 15 minutes-or-less
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Concept C: This will be the most far-reaching concept, designed to really overhaul the RTA and JeT network to speed up rides between several different regional hubs, with a redesigned local network serving each hub.
Learn more about the New Links project here.
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