The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) newest ferry vessel, RTA2, entered revenue service Oct. 10.
RTA2 will serve as the primary revenue vessel for the ferry service between the Algiers Point and Canal Street terminals. The new vessel is a 105-foot, 150-passenger, BMT-designed, aluminum high-speed catamaran passenger ferry.
To celebrate, the New Orleans RTA hosted Ferry Rider Appreciation Day Oct. 10. Community members were invited to the Algiers Ferry Terminal to ride the new vessel and celebrate the day with Golden Tickets and giveaways.
“It is the RTA Board of Commissioners’ highest priority to provide safe, reliable and equitable transportation to the people of New Orleans across all transit modes,” said Flozell Daniels Jr., chair, New Orleans RTA Board of Commissioners. “The launch of the new vessel marks another important milestone on the path to advancing the mission of the RTA as we stand positioned to deliver ferry transportation our riders deserve. We will continue to work closely and diligently with our ferry operating partners to ensure that world‐class ferry service is not only an expectation but an imperative.”
"Since the beginning of this administration we have worked in partnership with RTA to provide the transit services our residents deserve,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “The work to bring regular ferry vessels back online for the Algiers Point and Canal Street terminals has been a long and arduous task, one that preceded RTA’s new leadership team. We are both excited and relieved to mark the RTA2 ferry vessel’s entrance into revenue service. We also remain vigilant as RTA works to bring the second new ferry into service."
The $19 million in funding for RTA1 and RTA2 partly comes from a $15.2-million award from the Federal Transit Administration’s 2015 Passenger Ferry Grant program for the construction of both vessels and the Canal Street Ferry Terminal re-development project. The state of Louisiana provided the required local funding match in the amount of $3.8 million. Additionally, the New Orleans RTA annually receives roughly $5.1 million in operating funds from the state to support ferry operations and maintenance. The Col. Frank X. Armiger, the ferry vessel currently providing this service, will remain as the back-up vessel until the second new ferry, RTA1, enters service.
“The entry of RTA2 into revenue service signifies the beginning of the next chapter in ferry service and regional transit connectivity in the Greater New Orleans region and would not be possible without the support of U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-2) and the Federal Transit Administration,” said Alex Wiggins, New Orleans RTA CEO. “As we enter the first of the two new ferry vessels into service, residents, commuters and visitors will experience a more reliable, comfortable, enjoyable and safe transit option which will help spur local economic development in our neighborhood business districts.”
The RTA1 is currently undergoing final modifications and upgrades with the vessel manufacturer. Upon returning to New Orleans and securing its Certificate of Inspection, RTA1 will also enter revenue service and will be alternated with RTA2 as the primary service vessels. The Col. Frank X. Armiger will remain on standby status.
