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New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

2817 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504.248.3900
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More Info on New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

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The Regional Transit Authority gets people moving around New Orleans. Our transit services bring hard-working commuters to their jobs, students to their schools, and fun-seekers to entertainment, shopping areas, and restaurants. We provide mobility to residents of the city as well as to large numbers of tourists, taking them to and from their hotels to historical neighborhoods and countless attractions. In fact, many visitors (and locals) ride the RTA’s iconic streetcars simply for the fun of it. In this way, the RTA is a destination in itself. Our streetcars and buses are both a symbol of the city and an essential part of it.

Press Releases

NORTA
purple and pink graphic with ferry and bridge that says new summer hours starting June 15 2025
The pilot evaluates the viability and impact of late-night ferry service for residents who rely on nighttime transportation.
June 11, 2025
NORTA
In 2024, NORTA says it worked to establish an improved transit experience in New Orleans by modernizing its infrastructure, investing in workforce and engaging with the communities.
In 2024, NORTA says it worked to establish an improved transit experience in New Orleans by modernizing its infrastructure, investing in workforce and engaging with the communities...
April 23, 2025
Through a five-year Cooperative Endeavor Agreement, the Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District will provide access to a chartered ferry as necessary and based on availability...
Jan. 22, 2025
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA bus.
The budget includes funding for the agency to continue to improve its service delivery and increase ridership across all modes of transportation.
Dec. 19, 2024
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority CEO Lona Edwards Hankins welcomed elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the launch of 26 new hybrid and diesel buses.
The new buses will replace older buses in the New Orleans RTA fleet and improve the customer experience.
Sept. 26, 2024
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA to launch new Opportunity Pass pilot program Sept. 3.
The one-year zero-fares pilot program will provide Orleans Parish youth ages 16 to 24 access to free rides on New Orleans RTA buses, streetcars and ferries.
Aug. 29, 2024
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA and partners launch Opportunity Pass program pilot.
The pilot, in collaboration with RIDE New Orleans, the New Orleans Public Library and the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board offers free transit passes to Orleans ...
July 22, 2024
New Orleans RTA
Justin Cayless.
The agency says Cayless is known for his effectiveness with cross-functional teams and developing solutions to meet customer needs.
April 15, 2024
Allison Transmission
New Orleans RTA's new hybrid buses will be equipped with Allison eGen Flex propulsion system.
The eGen Flex® electric hybrid propulsion system will allow New Orleans RTA to reduce its emissions and increase its efficiency.
March 21, 2024
The city issued a letter of intent, which will enable the transit operator to continue operating ferry service at current levels in 2024.
Dec. 15, 2023

Articles

Eman Abu-Khaled
GDC has appointed Thomas Prendergast as its CEO. CTA chief of staff Nora Leerhsen has been named acting CTA president. Sound Transit has appointed Nadia Anderson, Ph.D., as chief strategy officer. Brian Marshall has been named NORTA’s chief transit officer. APTA has brought on Taria Barron to serve as general counsel. NCTD has hired Adrienne Johnson to serve as the agency’s human resources director.
Personnel updates from around the public transit industry.
Jan. 17, 2025
New Orleans RTA
Lona Edwards Hankins has been named CEO of New Orleans Regional Transit Authority; she has been serving as interim CEO since December 2022.
Edwards Hankins joined New Orleans RTA in 2019 as chief of infrastructure and long-term planning and has served as interim CEO since December 2022.
March 6, 2023
Monmouth County, New Jersey
The Belford Ferry is one of two ferry projects in New Jersey to receive funding from FTA.
The funding will go to 23 projects in 11 states with the money coming from three competitive grant programs.
Jan. 27, 2023
Background and headshot: New Orleans RTA
Alex Z. Wiggins will retire as CEO of New Orleans RTA effective Dec. 31, 2022.
Wiggins 38-year transit career includes leadership roles in Chicago, Seattle, Southern California before he became RTA’s first publicly appointed CEO.
Dec. 8, 2022
Mass Transit
Kevin Hozendorf presents 2022 Rail Safety Gold Award to British Columbia Rapid Transit Company, left, and the 2022 Rail Security Gold Award to Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Miami-Dade Transit.
Rail systems in Miami, Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Vancouver, British Columbia, earned accolades for their innovative and proactive safety and security initiatives.
June 8, 2022
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA officials including CEO Alex Wiggins (back center) visited Louisiana State Penitentiary's auto mechanic program. New Orleans RTA is partnering with JOB1 NOLA and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to recruit mechanics and technicians from the program.
The program provides training for non-violent releasing individuals who successfully complete the requirements and trial employment at New Orleans RTA, which can transition into...
May 12, 2022
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans Rta General
The transit authority is partnering with JOB1 Career Solutions to create a job training program for non-violent offenders who have completed a mechanic apprenticeship program....
Dec. 10, 2021
Mike Smith
Mike Smith, Chief Safety Officer, New Orleans RTA
Mike Smith, Chief Safety Officer, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
Nov. 23, 2021
New Orleans RTA
#vaccinated wrist bands with New Orleans RTA branding.
New Orleans RTA CEO says the decision was made to protect the health and safety of operators, administrative employees and riders.
July 26, 2021
Zack Smith Photography
Alex Wiggins. RTA CEO, New Orleans Native and saxophone musician, poses with his saxophone on the Historic St. Charles Streetcar alignment.
With an entirely new leadership team on board, New Orleans RTA took the reins of the agency in December 2020 and is focused on providing world-class service for all New Orleans...
March 23, 2021

Additional content from New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Perley A. Thomas streetcar.
The Perley A. Thomas streetcar began servicing the New Orleans RTA in the early 192os on the St. Charles Streetcar line, which is the oldest operating streetcar line in the world...
Nov. 2, 2023
LAN
Women in Transit Reception during APTA 2023
Santa Clara VTA General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot and New Orleans RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins spoke at the Women in Transit reception at the APTA Expo 2023.
Oct. 24, 2023
The five-year plan outlines the RTA’s direction, investments and capital projects.
Sept. 27, 2023
The four-year agreement is effective through June 2027 and includes pay increases and additional paid time off.
Sept. 8, 2023
New Orleans RTA
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority celebrated the opening of the new $43.5 million Canal Street Ferry Terminal on Aug. 23, 2023.
The project costs $43.5 million and will provide services between Canal Street and Algier Point.
Aug. 24, 2023
The route will now continue along West Judge Perez Drive to Paris Road and to the Nunez Community College campus.
June 6, 2023
With approval from the New Orleans City Council, New Orleans RTA will be able to apply for federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s CIG Program.
March 24, 2023
RTA joins transit systems worldwide that use Transit app for riders to plan, track and pay for their trips without downloading a new app while traveling.
Dec. 29, 2022
New Orleans RTA
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The program aims to increase service for riders with disabilities in New Orleans East.
Aug. 23, 2022
The new system, which replaces the manual process, highlights the agency's efforts to use innovation and technology to increase efficiency and convenience for riders and partners...
July 11, 2022
New Orleans RTA
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RTA says the new agreement includes a pay and benefits package that keeps operators among the highest paid in the southwest and southeast regions.
June 29, 2022
New Orleans RTA
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The study will determine route options connecting New Orleans East and Westbank communities to jobs and services.
April 25, 2022
NORTA
Rta New Paratransit Vehicle 1 Norta
The paratransit vehicles feature the new purple and grey design, which will complement the 41 new fixed-route buses.
April 8, 2022
New Orleans RTA
Norta Bus Twitter
In 2022, RTA plans to continue the momentum of its 2021 accomplishments with the implementation of the New Links network redesign which will work to improve connectivity in New...
March 7, 2022
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans RTA will implement a permanent new fare structure effective Jan. 1, 2022.
The simplified new fare structure is designed to offer financial relief and incentivize pass sales for multimodal trips.
Dec. 20, 2021
The agency is aiming to build a culture of recognition focused on the key values of customer service, innovation, equity, safety and world class riding experience.
Dec. 16, 2021
New Orleans RTA
New Orleans
This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides which brought civil right activists to the south as they protested segregated bus terminals.
June 22, 2021
New Orleans RTA
New Orleands
The new purple and grey buses were designed to better maintain the external cleanliness of the buses.
May 6, 2021
RTA
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This transition not only signifies a shift in the management structure but also serves as a reset to the core values and culture of the agency.
Dec. 21, 2020
New Orleans RTA
RTA 1 entered service on Dec. 15.
The new 105-foot, 150-passenger vessel will be used interchangeably with RTA 2 on the Algiers Point – Canal Street route.
Dec. 17, 2020
RTA
Rta
The new cars are marked with the universal accessibility icon on the front and side indicating ADA accessibility.
Dec. 2, 2020
RTA
Rta
The partnership led to a collaborative public art bus project, unveiled at the agency’s Canal Street headquarters Nov. 11.
Nov. 12, 2020
RTA
Officials break ground for the Canal Street ferry terminal project.
The project encompasses a two-year redevelopment project that will replace the existing terminal with a smaller, modern, ADA-compliant terminal and bridge.
Nov. 9, 2020
New Orleans RTA
The new vessel is a 105-foot, 150-passenger, BMT-designed, aluminum high-speed catamaran passenger ferry.
RTA2 will serve as the primary revenue vessel for the ferry service between the Algiers Point and Canal Street terminals.
Oct. 12, 2020
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
JTA will use its Ferry Grant Program funds to overhaul the Jean Ribault vessel that is part of the authority's St. Johns River Ferry service.
The funds will be used to purchase, replace or rehabilitate passenger ferries, terminals and related infrastructure and equipment.
July 27, 2020
New Orleans RTA Twitter
Rta Twitter
This change builds on last year’s decision to transition executive oversight and management from Transdev to a contract focused on service operations and maintenance.
May 29, 2020
New Orleans RTA
Capture
The barriers were designed and constructed by RTA maintenance crews.
April 9, 2020
RTA oversees the transit system and Transdev provides operations and maintenance services.
Sept. 20, 2019
In the spirit of collaboration, the Regional Transit Authority will be receiving customer service calls for Jefferson Transit (JeT).
Oct. 23, 2018
Justin T. Augustine, III, vice president of Transdev, the private operating partner of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, is one of 20 business leaders honored with the...
Sept. 11, 2018
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has announced Mayor LaToya Cantrell has appointed Laura B. Bryan and Fred Alford Neal Jr., AICP to the RTA Board of Commissioners.
July 3, 2018
Transdev
Transdev, in service to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has announced Taslin Alfonzo, APR has been named as the new public information officer.
Transdev, in service to the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has announced Taslin Alfonzo, APR has been named as the new public information officer.
Jan. 18, 2018
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will "cross the goal line" on Loyola Avenue when the new streetcar line opens on Jan. 28.
Jan. 21, 2013