NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans has finalized a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA), ensuring the Opportunity Pass pilot program can move forward. The Regional Transit Authority partnered with RIDE New Orleans (RIDE), New Orleans Public Library (NOPL), and the New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board (NOLACYPB) to work together in developing the next steps of the Opportunity Pass zero-fares pilot program, which will officially launch Sept. 3, 2024.

For months, these four organizations and agencies have worked tirelessly to collaborate on the creation of this life-changing program from the ground up. The one-year zero-fares pilot program, Opportunity Pass, will provide Orleans Parish youth ages 16 to 24 access to free rides on RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries. This is an essential step in removing one of the many barriers youth face every day.

“To me, free transit means no longer having to scrape up change for fare or stress over how I'm going to get from point A to point B. I firmly believe this stress should be alleviated for everyone, especially youth,” said Bela, RIDE Youth Ambassador.

Over the course of the one-year pilot, our organizations will connect with participating youth through focus groups. Their feedback will help us establish ways to improve and strengthen the program. In addition to meeting with the youth, the RTA and RIDE will report on the program's ridership details, which we hope encourages our leaders to advocate for sustainable funding to create a permanent program that will benefit Orleans Parish youth. This pilot is also the result of enduring collaboration with the City of New Orleans and the City Council, in particular President Helena Moreno. 

“The Opportunity Pass is the result of months of hard work, collaboration, and cooperation with several different agencies and City leaders. We are proud and excited to serve as a partner on this project. This pilot is rooted in RTA’s commitment to equity while providing a world-class rider experience. This is also personal to me, as I learned up close the value of affordable transit for young adults during my time rebuilding the New Orleans public schools after Hurricane Katrina. These riders represent our next generation, and so often are our most vulnerable. We must embrace every opportunity to help get them to their jobs, their schools, and their communities. As we modernize our fleet and improve service reliability, we are paving the way for how New Orleans rolls into the future,” said Lona Edwards Hankins, Chief Executive Officer, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority.

“This youth-driven program will help ensure we’re creating something that works. We heard from youth and youth-serving organizations how vital access to things like school, work, healthcare, and community is. We hope that with continued collaboration, we can see this program serve our youth for years to come,” said Courtney Jackson, Executive Director, RIDE New Orleans.

“This youth-focused policy aligns with the Youth Master Plan’s goal of making public transit affordable for young people. While initiating the pilot program was a positive first step, the push for free transit for all  youth highlights a strong commitment to addressing the genuine needs of young people in New Orleans. We are excited about the upcoming launch of this program and look forward to its potential expansion into a long-term initiative,” said Morgan Shannon, Executive Director, New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board.

“We are so excited to work with RIDE, RTA, and the New Orleans Children & Youth Planning Board to expand access to free public transportation. The Library's primary goal is to remove financial burdens and increase access to resources and services, and the Opportunity Pass program does just that. It's an honor to be a part of this wonderful initiative and we cannot wait to see where it takes us,” said Emily Painton, Executive Director, the New Orleans Public Library.

Excited to enroll in the Opportunity Pass Program?

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, Orleans Parish youth ages 16-24 can enroll for the Opportunity Pass program at any New Orleans Public Library location. If you work with an Opportunity Youth-serving organization, we also offer on-site bulk enrollments, where the RIDE team will come to you to enroll your youth and lead a transit literacy workshop. For more information email: opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org.

About New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana which is operated by an independent Board of Commissioners that serves Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. The agency operates car and passenger ferries, fixed-route buses, paratransit, streetcar, and limited on-demand service.

About RIDE New Orleans
RIDE's mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Greater New Orleans region by promoting safe, convenient, and affordable public transportation for everybody. Our organization envisions a region in which taking transit enables full access to jobs, education, health care, and other necessities that ensure an equitable, thriving community.

About New Orleans Public Library
With origins dating back to 1843, the New Orleans Public Library has grown from a single French Quarter house with a few volumes into a city-wide system serving all of Orleans Parish with 15 locations throughout the City. The Library’s mission is to transform lives, enrich neighborhoods, and preserve history.

About New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board
The New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and youth in New Orleans. By coordinating resources, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and advocating for effective policies, NOLACYPB strives to create a supportive environment where all young people can thrive.