Summer 2025 is fast approaching, and I want to thank you for riding with us and for continuing to make RTA a part of your daily journey, whether it’s getting to work, heading to a local event, or connecting with family and friends across the region.

On June 1st, we launch our Summer Service Changes, designed to better match the way you travel. We are excited to bring back the 49 – Riverfront Streetcar line with a new route between the French Market and Julia Street, and to restore service to the 46 – Rampart/UPT Streetcar line following major construction. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to making transit more efficient, reliable, and responsive to your needs.

At the same time, we continue to advance capital improvements that will modernize our infrastructure, enhance the rider experience, and position RTA for long-term sustainability. From new bus shelters and system upgrades to ongoing facility improvements, we are investing in the future of transit in the New Orleans region.

We are also entering hurricane season, and preparedness is top of mind. In addition to service updates, we are distributing Emergency Preparedness Brochures to help you, and your loved ones, stay safe and informed. These brochures are available online, on board, and at community centers across the city.

Thank you for continuing to ride with us. Your trust keeps us moving forward every day, every season.

Starting June 15, RTA is launching extended evening services on the Canal Street ferry just in time for summer. With the last boat departing as late as 12:15 a.m. every night, these new hours give more flexibility to riders—especially hospitality workers, musicians, and others who work late. The extended schedule runs through the end of September and reflects RTA’s commitment to making transit more accessible for all New Orleanians, no matter the hour. Stay tuned as we monitor feedback and performance over the summer to inform future ferry service decisions. 

Starting June 1, 2025, RTA will implement its Summer Service Changes to enhance system efficiency and better serve riders throughout the region. Highlights include the long-anticipated reopening of the 49 – Riverfront Streetcar line, now operating between the French Market and Julia Street with access to key destinations such as the Hilton Riverside, Riverwalk Mall, and the Convention Center. The 46 – Rampart/UPT Streetcar line will also resume service after nearby construction projects are finished. Several bus routes will experience overnight service adjustments and minor schedule changes. See line-specific details at the below link.

RTA proudly congratulates CEO Lona Edwards Hankins on being named a 2025 Driving Force by New Orleans CityBusiness. This honor recognizes leaders shaping the region’s future through innovation, service, and impact. Since stepping into her role, CEO Hankins has led with a sharp vision for equitable, reliable, and forward-thinking transit. Her recognition reflects both her leadership and the collective efforts of the RTA team working to better serve our community every day. Again, congrats CEO Hankins! 

RTA celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of its LEAD Leadership Academy. The nine-session program was designed to equip employees from across the agency with the tools, skills, and confidence to grow as leaders and change-makers within the RTA. Participants represented a range of departments and collaborated on Capstone projects focused on strengthening internal culture, communication, and operations. Their work reflects a deep commitment to professional development and a shared vision for the RTA’s future. Congratulations to the graduates for their hard work and dedication in making this year’s program a success. 

In case you missed it, RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins and members of the streetcar barn team were recently featured on a special episode of CBS Mornings highlighting the spirit of New Orleans. The segment spotlighted RTA’s iconic streetcar system and the dedicated team behind it, showing how public transit drives the culture, economy, and everyday life in New Orleans. We are proud to see our team recognized on a national stage for their hard work and dedication to serving New Orleans. 

This month, RTA’s Community Outreach Team recently attended the New Orleans Council on Aging’s Annual Senior Fest, an event dedicated to empowering and engaging local seniors through valuable resources and support. As part of our commitment to keeping the community safe and informed, RTA distributed hurricane preparedness items and shared essential information about transit services available to older adults, ensuring our senior riders are ready for the upcoming storm season. Events like Senior Fest are an important reminder of the role public transit plays in supporting the health, safety, and independence of our aging population. We are proud to be a trusted partner in keeping New Orleans seniors connected and prepared. 

We are excited to launch Rider Spotlight, highlighting the voices and experiences of the people who rely on transit every day. Whether it’s commuting to work, getting to school, or supporting family, our riders are at the core of the service we provide. Rider experiences like these remind us why accessible, reliable public transit is essential to our city and our community. 

Brion Polk has been using RTA for the past two years. A working mother of a 4-year-old, with another baby on the way, she depends on transit to take her son to school and get to work. She values the convenience and support RTA offers. “The website, screens on the bus, and the drivers are very helpful,” she shared. Brion also uses the Opportunity Pass, which she calls “a blessing.” 

S.J. is an aspiring nurse who relies on public transit daily to get to and from school. She appreciates the independence it provides and noted that some drivers go the extra mile to help elderly passengers feel safe. “It makes their ride safe,” she said. She also expressed her hope that all riders take pride in keeping buses clean and respectful of everyone. 

In our first Operator Spotlight, we’re proud to recognize a member of the RTA team whose compassion and quick thinking made a lasting impact. While on duty, this operator noticed a young child lost near a busy street. Acting immediately out of concern for the child’s safety, she stopped her vehicle and brought the child aboard, keeping them safe until the authorities arrived. Her calm and caring response turned a potentially dangerous situation into one of safety and reassurance. Though she wishes to remain anonymous, her actions speak volumes. This moment is a powerful reminder of the care, attentiveness, and humanity our operators bring to the job every day. This is what commitment looks like. This is how progress feels. This is how RTA rolls.