New Orleans, LA -- Today, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) will begin introducing 21 new paratransit vehicles into revenue service. The paratransit vehicles feature the new purple and grey design, which will complement the 41 newest fixed-route buses. The 21 new paratransit vehicles were funded by a competitive $13M grant award through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 2020 Bus and Bus Facilities program. 

“As the RTA continues to focus on building a completely accessible transit system, this addition of paratransit vehicles will improve the ridership experience for our most vulnerable riders," said Mark Raymond, Jr., RTA Vice Chair. “The RTA Board of Commissioners continues to work with the agency to advance improvements to service to riders with varying mobility needs.” 

“The new paratransit vehicles introduced today will dramatically improve the reliability of vehicles, on time performance, and comfort for our Paratransit riders.,” said Alex Z. Wiggins, RTA CEO. “The introduction of these 21 new vehicles brings the RTA one step closer to our agency's goal to deliver a fully accessible transit system to New Orleans residents and visitors.” 

The RTA paratransit service provides a shared-ride service using accessible buses and vans to meet the needs of eligible riders. Riders must demonstrate an inability to use RTA buses or streetcars on their own, need someone else’s assistance to use the system, or have a disability preventing the rider from using regular transit stops to be eligible for this service. Individuals interested in applying for paratransit service can call the RTA Customer Service Center at (504) 827-8345 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The RTA was one of 96 projects in 49 states and territories awarded a total of $464 million in FTA 2020 Bus and Bus Facilities program funding to purchase buses, paratransit vehicles and equipment in 2020.  The federal competitive grant program provides infrastructure grants to improve the safety and reliability of America’s bus systems. This grant also funded 21 new 35’ buses which entered revenue service in 2021.