New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA or NORTA) is a public transportation agency based in New Orleans. The agency was established by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1979, and has operated bus and historic streetcar service throughout the city since 1983.[1] In 2022, the system had a ridership of 7,244,700, or about 31,600 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023, making the Regional Transit Authority the largest public transit agency in the state of Louisiana.

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
RTA building on Canal Street
Founded1979
HeadquartersNew Orleans
Service areaCity of New Orleans
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Service typePublic transit
Heritage streetcar
Routes30 (bus)
5 (streetcar)
Stops2154 (bus)
286 (streetcar)
Annual ridership7,244,700 (2021)
Fuel typeDiesel (bus)
Electric (streetcar)
OperatorTransdev
Chief executiveAlex Z. Wiggins
Websitewww.norta.com
Streetcar network map

Basic rates for all modes, except ferries, are $1.25 per boarding (or $0.40 for 65 & up, disabled & Medicare, $0.50 for 5–17). 24-hour Jazzy Passes are $3, or $1 for youth and $0.80 for seniors, good for all modes including ferries. There are free transfer cards, good for next 120 minutes of unlimited use (round-trips/stopovers prohibited). Under 5 with a limit of three per paid rider can board for free. Transfers to ferries from busses/streetcars require paying difference in rates.

Hurricane Katrina

City buses were used before Hurricane Katrina hit to transport people to a refuge of last resort, of what's now the Caesars Superdome. Much of the city flooded due to the storm. The NORTA Administration building on Plaza Drive appears to have been in 10 feet (3.0 m) of water. Almost eighty-five percent of the fleet was rendered useless and inoperative; 146 city buses were visible outdoors in the flood at the 2817 Canal St. facility, while only 22 were at 3900 Desire Pky. The 8201 Willow St. facility was one block within the flood but was built above street level. The buses at the flooded facilities were mostly written off.

All but one of the streetcars built in the 1990s and 2000s were severely damaged in the flooding resulting from the hurricane. The historic Perley Thomas-built streetcars of the St. Charles line were undamaged in the disaster. The damaged streetcars, which had been built by hand on the property by local workers, were repaired in the same facility with components from Brookville Equipment Co.[2]

Post-disaster recovery

As of 2007, service had been restored to certain areas as they became habitable again. However, there was no 24-hour service on any bus or streetcar line, except for the St. Charles streetcar line. Streetcars were returned to the full length of Canal St. and the Riverfront, initially using the historic St. Charles Line streetcars, which had not been damaged, as had the red Canal cars. In 2008, the St. Charles streetcar resumed running the entire length of its route. By early 2009, the red Canal streetcars were repaired and had taken over service on the Canal and Riverfront Lines.

The buses that have been restored to operation have returned to several major thoroughfares, including Elysian Fields Avenue, Esplanade Avenue, Claiborne Avenue, St. Claude Avenue, Judge Perez Drive, General Meyer Avenue, Lapalco Boulevard, Robert E. Lee Boulevard, and the Chef Menteur Highway. And just a few express routes, Morrison Express, Lake Forest Express, Read-Crowder Express and Airport Express, serving both Eastern New Orleans, and New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner, La. have been reinstated so far.

Service enhancements as of October 2, 2016:[3]

Operate the new N. Rampart/St. Claude Avenue streetcar from Elysian Fields to UPT via Rampart St. and Loyola Ave. Loyola/UPT line will no longer operate on Canal St. to the river, nor on Riverfront to the French Quarter stop.

Restore service to Canal Street on the 15-Freret and 28-MLK buses.

Increase service on the Canal and Riverfront streetcar lines.

Continue lines 57-Franklin and 88-St. Claude to Canal St. Operate 57-Franklin via Claiborne Ave. to increase service along N. Claiborne Ave. between Elysian Fields and St. Bernard Ave.

St. Charles Streetcar Tracks after Hurricane Katrina

Decrease travel times for riders from farther-out neighborhoods by operating Lines 88-St. Claude and 91-Jackson/Esplanade with fewer stops along Rampart to Canal.

Improve reliability of lines 5-Marigny/Bywater and 55-Elysian Fields with new schedules.

Provide earlier daily trips and later weekend trips on line 80-Desire/Louisa.

In September 2022, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority announced that they would be almost entirely changing the lines, names, and wait times for the authority starting on September 25, 2022.[4] The changes were made after a survey was conducted containing 3,000 people saying that the old lines had been outdated, and were not convenient for everyday use. For 4 days after the new routes started, RTA offered free boarding on all buses, streetcars, and the Algiers Point Ferry.[5]

The changes were part of the New Links Network, a project designed to upgrade the transit authority to service the people of New Orleans.[6]

Upgrades from the previous lines include more access to jobs and landmarks, reduced wait times, longer service times, and faster transfers/connections.[7]

On July 18, 2022, the authority released Le Pass, a new trip planner and ticket app. It includes tickets and tracking for both RTA and Jefferson Transit buses. On August 29, 2022, RTA shut down ticket buying on the old RTA GoMobile app.[8] Le Pass updated from the old routes on September 25, 2022.

No changes were made to the streetcars or ferries.

Bus and streetcar routes

Streetcar on Canal Street, April 2007

Current bus routes

In 2022, the NORTA bus system had a ridership of 4,684,300[9], or about 20,800 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023[10]




Route Name Terminal 1 Terminal 2 Length via notes
3 Tulane - Elmwood Downtown
Saratoga + Tulane
Elmwood
Jefferson Hwy + Spur
10.2 miles (16.4 km) Tulane Avenue, South Carrollton Avenue, Jefferson Highway 24-hour service (No evening or overnight service west of Jefferson + Causeway)
8 St Claude - Arabi Downtown
Main Library
Arabi
St Claude at Parish Line
5.4 miles (8.7 km) Rampart Street (Saint Claude Avenue) 24-hour service
9 Broad - Napoleon Irish Channel
Napoleon + Tchoupitoulas
New Orleans East
New Orleans East Hub
14.0 miles (22.5 km) Napoleon Avenue, Broad Street, Chef Menteur Highway 24-hour service
11 Magazine Downtown
Tulane + Loyola
West Riverside
Children's Hospital New Orleans
5.8 miles (9.3 km) Camp Street, Magazine Street
27 Louisiana St. Thomas Dev
Rousseau + St Andrew
Navarre
Orleans + Navarre
7.9 miles (12.7 km) Tchoupitoulas Street, Louisiana Avenue, Toledano Street (Washington Avenue)
31 Leonidas - Gentilly West Riverside
Children's Hospital New Orleans
Gentilly Woods
Gentilly Woods Hub
12.4 miles (20.0 km) Leonidas Street, Carrollton Avenue, Gentilly Boulevard
32 Leonidas - Treme Downtown
Main Library
10.5 miles (16.9 km) Leonidas Street, Carrollton Avenue, Orleans Avenue
45 Lakeview Navarre
Cemeteries Transit Hub
Navarre
Metairie Cemetery
7.5 miles (12.1 km) Canal Boulevard, Pontchartrain Boulevard Operates in a loop
51 St. Bernard - Claiborne St. Bernard
St. Bernard + Senate
Fontainebleau
Claiborne + Carollton
7.8 miles (12.6 km) Saint Bernard Avenue, Claiborne Avenue Overnight service on Claiborne Avenue provided by 53-O Paris - Claiborne Owl
52 Paris - Broadmoor Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks
University of New Orleans
Dixon
Palmetto + S. Carrollton at Xavier University
10.5 miles (16.9 km) Paris Avenue, Washington Avenue Overnight service on Paris Avenue provided by 53-O Paris-Claiborne Owl
53-O Paris-Claiborne Owl Fontainebleau
Claiborne + Carrollton
Lake Terrace/Lake Oaks
University of New Orleans
10.9 miles (17.5 km) Claiborne Avenue, Paris Avenue Runs overnight service on portions of Routes 51 and 52
55 Elysian Fields Downtown
Main Library
Gentilly Woods
Gentilly Woods Hub
11.0 miles (17.7 km) Elysian Fields Avenue, Press Drive (SB), Congress Drive (NB) 24-hour service (No overnight service east of University of New Orleans)
57 Franklin - Freret Pontchartrain Park
Press + Emmett Bashful at SUNO
Audubon
Audubon Zoo
12.2 miles (19.6 km) Franklin Avenue, N Claiborne Avenue, Freret Street, Broadway
61 Lake Forest - Village De L'Est Downtown
Main Library
Village De L'Est
Chef Menteur + Old Gentilly at Gulfway Terrace Apartments
16.1 miles (25.9 km) I-10, Dwyer Road, Lake Forest Boulevard, Chef Menteur Highway 24-hour service
62 Morrison - Bullard New Orleans East
New Orleans East Hub
13.3 miles (21.4 km) I-10, Morrison Road, Bullard Road Overnight service provided by 62-O Morrison Owl
62-O Morrison Owl 18.2 miles (29.3 km) I-10, Morrison Road, Bullard Road Runs overnight service on portions of Routes 62 and 68
66 Hayne Loop New Orleans East
New Orleans East Hub
17.1 miles (27.5 km) Leon C. Simon Drive, Hayne Boulevard Operates in a loop
67 Michoud Loop 17.4 miles (28.0 km) Lake Forest Boulevard, Bullard Road, Old Gentilly Road, Michoud Boulevard
68 Little Woods Loop 10.7 miles (17.2 km) Hayne Boulevard, I-10 Service Road
80 Desire - Louisa Gentilly Woods
Gentilly Woods Hub
Marigny
Elysian Fields + Decatur
5.6 miles (9.0 km) Louisa Street, Desire Street
84 Galvez - Lower 9th Downtown
Main Library
Arabi
St Claude at Parish Line
8.1 miles (13.0 km) N Galvez Street, N Miro Street 24-hour service
86 St. Maurice - Chalmette Arabi
St Claude at Jackson Barracks
Chalmette
Nunez Community College
13.5 miles (21.7 km) Tupelo Street, Judge Perez Drive, Paris Road, Fats Domino Avenue Operates in a loop
91 Jackson - Esplanade St. Thomas Dev
Rousseau + St. Andrew
Navarre
Cemeteries Transit Hub
8.0 miles (12.9 km) Jackson Avenue, Esplanade Avenue 24-hour service
103 General Meyer Local Gretna
Wilty Terminal
New Aurora-English Turn
General Meyer + Carver
9.3 miles (15.0 km) L.B. Landry Avenue, General Meyer Avenue Overnight service provided by 103-O
103-O Algiers Owl Downtown
Tulane + Loyola
14.3 miles (23.0 km) Pontchartrain Expressway, L.B. Landry Avenue, General Meyer Avenue Same as daytime route 103, but is extended to Downtown New Orleans
105 Algiers Local Gretna
Wilty Terminal
Tall Timbers-Bretchel
Tullis + Woodland
7.9 miles (12.7 km) Holiday Drive, Tullis Drive
114A Garden Oaks - Sullen Downtown
Tulane + Loyola
New Aurora-English Turn
General Meyer + Carver
12.7 miles (20.4 km) Pontchartrain Expressway, General DeGaulle Drive, Sullen Drive 24-hour service
114B Garden Oaks - Woodland Tall Timbers-Bretchel
Tullis + Woodland
12.7 miles (20.4 km) Pontchartrain Expressway, MacArthur Boulevard, Woodland Drive
201 Kenner Loop Kenner
Minor + Third
Kenner
Joe Yenni + West Loyola
21.1 miles (34.0 km) Williams Boulevard, Esplanade Avenue, West Loyola Drive, East Loyola Drive, Loyola Drive, 31st Street Operates as a loop
202 Airport Express Downtown
Loyola + Tulane
Kenner
Louis Armstrong International Airport
15.9 miles (25.6 km) I-10 Airport Connector

List of streetcar routes

In 2022, the streetcar system had a ridership of 3,592,300, or about 10,200 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023.

Former routes

  • 1 Easy Rider Downtown Shuttle
  • 3 Vieux Carré
  • 5 Marigny-Bywater
  • 10 Tchoupitoulas
  • 13 St. Charles Shuttle
  • 14 Jackson
  • 15 Freret
  • 16 S Claiborne
  • 19 Nashville Express
  • 20 Nashville
  • 22 Broadway
  • 24 Napoleon
  • 28 M L King
  • 30 Airline
  • 34 Carrollton Express
  • 39 Tulane
  • 40 West End Express
  • 41 West End
  • 42 Canal – Cemeteries
  • 43 Canal Boulevard – Lake Vista
  • 44 Canal Boulevard Express – Lake Vista
  • 45 Canal – City Park
  • 46 Orleans (originally 46 City Park)
  • 48 Esplanade
  • 49 Lakeview
  • 50 St. Bernard – Senate
  • 51 St. Bernard – Lake Terrace
  • 52 St. Bernard – L. C. Simon
  • 53 Gentilly
  • 54 Mirabeau (originally 54 Cartier)
  • 56 Elysian Fields Express
  • 58 Franklin Express
  • 59 Congress
  • 60 Hayne
  • 63 New Orleans East Owl
  • 64 Lake Forest Express
  • 65 Six Flags Express (originally 65 Plaza Park-and-Ride)
  • 65 Read-Crowder Express
  • 66 Chef Menteur Highway Express
  • 67 Crowder
  • 69 New Orleans East Owl Loop
  • 70 Read – Hayne
  • 71 Read – Casino
  • 72 Paris Road Express
  • 73 Oak Island Loop
  • 80 Louisa
  • 81 Almonaster
  • 82 Desire
  • 83 Lower Ninth Ward
  • 85 Barracks
  • 88 St. Claude – Barracks
  • 89 St. Claude – Refinery
  • 90 Carrollton
  • 94 Broad
  • 96 Broad Rapid
  • 97 Broad – Oak Island
  • 98 Broad – Village de L'est
  • 99 Broad – NASA
  • 100 Algiers Owl
  • 101 Algiers Point
  • 102 General Meyer
  • 103 General Meyer/Pace
  • 104 Algiers Park-and-Ride
  • 105 Aurora
  • 106 Aurora Express
  • 106 Aurora Local
  • 107 General DeGaulle
  • 108 Algiers Local
  • 114 General DeGaulle-Sullen
  • 115 General DeGaulle-Tullis
  • 202 Kenner Park-and-Ride
  • 408 Algiers Local-L.B. Landry

Governance

The body in charge of making major decisions for the RTA is the Board of Commissioners. The board consists of appointees by the Mayor of New Orleans and of some appointees by the President of Jefferson Parish. The RTA Board has the overall authority for transit in New Orleans including setting fares, overseeing service and operations, developing operating budgets, approving each year's annual transportation development plan, and deciding upon capital purchases and expansions.

Under contract to the RTA Board of Commissioners, Transdev formerly managed all day-to-day aspects of the transit agency on behalf of the RTA Board. Transdev handled operations and service, safety issues, vehicle maintenance, customer care, route design and scheduling, human resources, administration, ridership growth, capital planning, grant administration, communications, purchasing, and other agency functions. Transdev was under contract to and reported to the RTA Board of Commissioners. The company operates public transportation for some 5,000 transit authorities around the world. Transdev (then Veolia Transport) was hired in 2008.[11]

As of December 20, 2020, Transdev no longer manages the RTA. All bus, streetcar, and paratransit operators, and also maintenance personnel, are now employees of RTA. Ferry services continue to be operated for RTA by LabMar Ferry Services.[12]

See also

References

  1. "RTA History". www.norta.com. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  2. "The streetcar makes a comeback in New Orleans - CBS News Video". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01.
  3. "October 2, Service Changes for Bus And Street Car Lines". Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  4. "New Orleans Regional Transit Authority - New Bus Routes". www.norta.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  5. "New Orleans Regional Transit Authority - New Orleans RTA to offer four days of free rides for new bus routes implementation". www.norta.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  6. Hart, Katherine; Messenger, Uptown. "New Links reimagines the region's public transit. Here's what's in the works for Uptown". Uptown Messenger. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  7. "New Orleans Regional Transit Authority - System Overview". www.norta.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  8. "New Orleans Regional Transit Authority - Le Pass". www.norta.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  9. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  10. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  11. Donze, Frank. "New management team to run city's Regional Transit Authority". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  12. "New Orleans RTA". New Orleans RTA. New Orleans RTA. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
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