 The RTA Board of Commissioners recently accepted the resignation of CEO Lona Edwards Hankins and appointed interim CEO Ronald Baptiste to help lead the agency during this transition period.
Baptiste brings decades of transit experience to the role and most recently served as RTA’s Director of Procurement and Grants. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in advancing agency operations, supporting major funding initiatives, and helping strengthen transit service across the region.
The Board expressed appreciation for Hankins’ service and leadership during her tenure, which included major federal grant awards, ridership growth, infrastructure investments, and navigating large-scale events and operational challenges across the region.
As the agency moves through this leadership transition, RTA remains focused on delivering safe, reliable transit service and continuing work on key initiatives that support riders and communities across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
 RTA's Natasha Riley, Eddie Coe, Marc Bachemin, and Connie Smith.
This month, our Communications, Outreach, and Customer Service teams participated in Senior Fest, an annual celebration hosted by the New Orleans Council on Aging and proudly cosponsored by RTA.
The event provides an opportunity to connect directly with our senior residents, answer questions about transit services, and share information about resources available to riders across the region. RTA staff also discussed the agency’s role in supporting the City Assisted Evacuation Plan and helping residents stay informed and prepared during hurricane season.
Supporting events that strengthen our community is part of our agency’s mission and we are grateful for the opportunity to engage directly with the riders we serve every day.
Normal operations have resumed for the Lower Algiers–Chalmette Ferry following the completion of bridge repairs by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD). Ferry service was suspended by LADOTD after a routine inspection identified issues with the ferry bridge structure that required repair work.
The return of service restores an important transportation connection for residents, commuters, and businesses traveling between Lower Algiers and Chalmette.
We appreciate all our ferry riders for your patience and understanding during this temporary shutdown and thank the LADOTD and project partners for their coordination throughout the repair process.
 Mayor Helena Moreno hosted RTA, city officials, first responders, and other regional partners for the City of New Orleans’ Hurricane Preparedness Briefing ahead of the 2026 hurricane season.
During the briefing, RTA highlighted the agency’s coordination with emergency management and public safety partners to support evacuation operations, maintain critical transit services, assist riders with mobility needs, and prepare for phased service restoration following severe weather events.
As hurricane season approaches, RTA encourages riders to prepare early, stay informed through the Le Pass app and RTA service alerts, and sign up for emergency notifications through NOLA Ready and Smart911.
 Secretary Sean P. Duffy with RTA staff
RTA was honored to welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Great American Road Trip aboard for a ride on the historic St. Charles streetcar line.
The visit highlighted one of New Orleans’ most iconic transportation assets and provided an opportunity to showcase the unique role public transit plays in connecting residents and visitors to the culture, history, and neighborhoods that make the city special.
RTA appreciates Secretary Duffy and his team for riding with us and experiencing New Orleans transit firsthand.
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