NEW ORLEANS - Today, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) announced a four-day free fare promotion to coincide with the new RTA routes and schedules beginning September 25. 

This announcement comes after receiving approval from the New Orleans City Council during their regular meeting today. The resolution authored by Transportation Chair and District “D” Councilmember Eugene Green was adopted by the full Council and authorized the implementation of RTA’s free fares from Sunday, September 25 through Wednesday, September 28. The fare suspension was approved by the RTA Board of Commissioners at the August Board of Commissioners Meeting on August 23, 2022. 

The free fare promotion will allow riders to adjust to RTA’s bus system redesign with new routes without having to pay for their trips. The new bus routes will begin Sunday, September 25, and riders can board without payment on all RTA buses, streetcars, and the Algiers Point-Canal Street ferry during the four-day promotional period. The Chalmette-Lower Algiers ferry is not included in the free fare promotion. 

The RTA is preparing for the September 25 bus route changes, which will transform the transit network by connecting more riders to jobs, schools, healthcare, and other necessities with shorter trips and wait times systemwide. In addition to service improvements, the agency will introduce a new interim bus hub at the Main Library in the Central Business District and additional smaller hubs in east New Orleans, Gentilly Woods, Cemeteries Transit Center, and Wilty Terminal on the Westbank. As the lead agency in the New Links study from 2019 to 2021, RTA worked closely with the Regional Planning Commission and sister agencies, Jefferson Transit (JeT) and St. Bernard Urban Rapid Transit (SBURT), to reimagine transit within the region. The two-year study sought to better connect parishes and riders to major destinations meeting the changing needs of riders. The new bus routes are the final part of the agency’s New Links implementation and the first meaningful network redesign since 2004. 

For more information riders can visit norta.com/September25 or call Rideline at 504-248-3900. Riders can also receive Information via text by texting RTAUpdates to 41411.