Local Public Transit

For fare information, detailed maps and schedules, go to http://www.norta.com/ . The website is also now available in Spanish courtesy of Google.

The RTA Rideline, 504-248-3900, is available weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for live assistance with routes and schedules. In addition, the Rideline can also now be reached via e-mail at rideline@norta.com.

Current Service Details

Streetcars - RTA is fully operating its #2 Riverfront Streetcar line (runs from French Market Riverfront stop at Esplanade to the Convention Center) and its full #45 Canal Streetcar line (runs the full length of Canal Street to the Cemeteries terminal, also including the Carrollton Spur). Both lines are using the historic olive-green Perley Thomas-type streetcars, which usually run along the St. Charles Avenue line, for this service 7 days per week from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

Construction has begun on the St. Charles line, the cantenary system of which was badly damaged during Hurricane Katrina, starting with the downtown sections.  The target date for full service reinstatement is anticipated in late 2007.

NOTE:  The streetcars, because of their historic designation under ADA, are not accessible to the disabled. However, PARATRANSIT service is available by calling 827-7433. RTA apologies for the inconvenience, but hopes to have its only undamaged accessible streetcar available within the next few months. The Canal bus, which is accessible for the disabled, will continue to run the full length of Canal Street.

New Orleans Bus Routes - In Orleans Parish, RTA now runs the following 28 lines. This service requires (not including spare vehicles) 61 buses during peak hours on weekdays (51 during the midday), 36 buses on Saturdays, 32 buses on Sundays, and 5 streetcars every day of the week.

In addition to this service, RTA continues to run the Kenner Loop service in the city of Kenner, as well as service in Baton Rouge to supplement the service provided by CATS (the Capital Area Transit System) there.

2 Riverfront Streetcar (French Market, Aquarium, Cruise Ships, Thalia)
5 Marigny-Bywater (Convention Center, French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater)
10 Tchoupitoulas (CBD-Uptown)
11 Magazine (CBD-Uptown)
12 St. Charles (CBD-Uptown/Carrollton)
15 Freret (CBD-Uptown, Loyola and Tulane Universities)
16 South Claiborne (CBD-Uptown/Carrollton/Central City)
20 Nashville Local (Uptown, Audubon Park to South Claiborne)
27 Louisiana (Uptown, Central City, Mid-City/Delgado)
28 Martin Luther King (CBD - Central City- Guste Homes area)
32 Leonidas (Uptown, Hollygrove)
39 Tulane (CBD-Mid-City)
42 Canal Street (CBD-Mid-City)
47-48 Canal Streetcar (French Market to Cemeteries, also North Carrollton)
52 St. Bernard Avenue (CBD-UNO via Gentilly)
55 Elysian Fields (CBD/French Quarter-UNO)
57 Franklin (CBD-SUNO, also Bywater)
60 Hayne (Lake Vista to New Orleans East via lakefront)
64 Lake Forest (Eastern New Orleans from CBD to Read Boulevard)
84 Galvez (Lower Mid-City, Bywater Faubourg Marigny)
88 St. Claude (CBD, French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater)
91 Jackson-Esplanade (City Park, Mid-City, CBD, Central City, to Wal-Mart)
94 Broad (Mid-City, Gentilly, New Orleans East)
100 Algiers Owl Loop (night service to Algiers on a combination route)
101 Algiers Loop (CBD-old Algiers including Algiers Point)
102 General Meyer (CBD-Algiers)
108 Algiers Local (connects to Jefferson Transit west bank terminal)
114-115 General de Gaulle (CBD-Algiers)

The RideLine - (504) 248-3900 - is available for schedule information on all routes, including the Kenner Loop. In addition, RideLine can also now be reached via e-mail at rideline@norta.com. More staff has now been assigned to answer patrons' queries. Hours are 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday (Weekdays only).

New Orleans Paratransit & Dial-a-Ride Service - Transit service for the disabled and elderly is available from early morning to late night, seven days per week. There is limited sedan and LIFT service: 5 Lift vans and 15 sedans are operating within the City. Call 827-7433 for reservations.

Intercity Transit (LA SWIFT) - This free bus service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans continues to see ridership increase and is now carrying well over 700 riders each weekday. LA Swift runs 19 round trips per weekday and 12 round trips per weekend day, providing all-day service in both directions between the CATS transit terminal in Baton Rouge, and the intersection of Elk Place and Canal Street in New Orleans. Most trips also make intermediate stops in LaPlace, Sorrento, and southeast Baton Rouge. LA Swift is the state's first public intercity bus service, and is sponsored by FEMA, DOTD, and the Department of Labor. Service is being operated by Hotard under contract, with RTA providing technical and logistical support, as well as training of the 25 bus operators assigned. For details, visit http://www.LASwift.com/ .

UPT Buses - AMTRAK is operating all full service. The Union Passenger Terminal (UPT) is served by the # 101 Algiers Loop and the # 102 General Meyer bus lines. The inbound stop – that is “towards Canal Street” – is across street from the UPT on Loyola Avenue. The corresponding outbound stop – towards & across the river – is on South Rampart, a block away.

For AMTRAK schedule information, click here.

Additional lines and service are under consideration as buses, fueling, and maintenance services can be secured.

Kenner - RTA continues to operate the 201 Kenner Loop line, local circulator service in the city of Kenner. This 7-day-a-week service requires 2 buses and 7 operators, and has been running its full pre-Katrina route and schedule since its restoration in October. Kenner Loop riding is also increasing slowly, and is now well over 50% of pre-storm levels.

Jefferson Transit (JeT) - The JeT system continues to provide service on both sides of the river, connecting with RTA service for inter-parish trips. Major corridors served include Veterans, Airline, Jefferson Highway, Causeway, West Bank Expressway, Lapalco and Terry Parkway. JeT service was fare-free through June 30; fares have recommenced. For details, visit http://www.JeffersonTransit.org/ or call 504-818-1077.  For more information on the JET Westbank routes, call 504-367-7433.

MITS Jefferson Paratransit Service. To schedule service on MITS, please call 889-7155 (889-7165 TDD). For more information on the MITS Paratransit Service provided by Jefferson Transit, please visit the "Special Services" section of the JET website.

Baton Rouge Public Transit - RTA continues to operate on a variety of lines throughout the Baton Rouge area, supplementing the service provided by the Capital Area Transit System (CATS). At present, the RTA Baton Rouge fixed-route service operates 7 days and evenings a week, using 27 buses plus spares during weekday peak periods, and requiring 65 operators. The service includes not only additional buses on CATS' regular lines, but also special lines serving FEMA trailer communities, two lines in newer portions of Baton Rouge where there is no other transit service, and a park-and-ride line from Prairieville. RTA is also assisting CATS with paratransit service in Baton Rouge. RTA is leasing a building in Baton Rouge as a base for operations and vehicle maintenance; some of the vehicles being used have been provided to RTA from other systems across the nation. Housing for a number of employees is also provided at this site. For Baton Rouge transit information, visit http://www.BRcats.com/ .