Transit Accessibility
We believe that transit should be accessible to everyone, which is why we offer a wide range of services to make riding easier.
Bus, Streetcar and Ferry Accessibility
All standard RTA buses contain features and equipment that allow persons with disabilities to board, ride, and get out of vehicles easily and comfortably.
All New Orleans ferries have pedestrian-friendly entrances for easy access to ramps that allow persons with disabilities to board, ride, and exit ferries easily and comfortably.
The Red Streetcars that travel the Canal Street, Rampart, and Riverfront lines are also accessible to persons with disabilities. Some of the Green Streetcars that travel the St. Charles Avenue line are ADA-accessible. ADA-accessible St. Charles streetcars operate approximately every hour.
If you have a disability and would like to travel by bus in the same general direction as the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, you may find the following bus lines to be useful alternatives:
Please see our system map for further details.
- An ADA Riders Transit Guide (PDF) is available here, also in Spanish and Vietnamese.
- All buses and streetcars display visual and auditory announcements about upcoming stops and stations.
- Operators are trained to offer assistance to get on and off vehicles upon request.
- There is designated priority seating for pregnant women, riders with disabilities and seniors on all vehicles, and operators will ask riders to make one of seats available upon request. Riders may also make this request of other riders if they prefer. No one can be required to vacate priority seating because that person may have a disability that is not readily visible but necessitates a need for a seat and asking anyone to prove a disability would violate his or her privacy. The RTA asks that any of our passengers, especially those in a priority seating area, please be courteous and offer their seat to a person with a disability who might need it.
- Signage features large, easy-to-read fonts and enough contrast that even passengers with low vision can see and read.
- Reduced Fares are available for individuals 65 or older and those with disabilities.
- All RTA buses are equipped with ramps or lifts. Riders can always ask the driver to deploy the ramp or lift for ease of boarding, even if they do not use a mobility device. All lifts are equipped with handrails for safety.
- Drivers can lower or “kneel” any RTA bus to bring the step closer to the curb for easier entry at the front door. If you would like to use a ramp to help you get on board, just ask the bus driver.
- All buses feature two locations where passengers who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices can secure themselves for a safe and comfortable ride. Shoulder and lap belts are available if needed.
- All buses have onboard stop announcements and signage announcing the route number and destination. Riders may always ask operators for additional information, including when they have reached their intended stop.
- Handrails and straps are available throughout to assist with standing, sitting and balance.
- If you are in a wheelchair, the bus driver will secure your wheelchair to prevent it from moving when the bus is in motion. Seats in the front of the bus behind the driver will fold up to make room for this tie-down area. The bus driver will assist you before other passengers can get on board.
- You may wish to tell the driver your destination so you can be sure to get to where you’re going without any problems. An automated recording will announce stops and transfer points.
- As the bus is approaching your desired stop, pull on the pull cord.
- Exit the bus. The bus driver will pull close to the curb. Just as when you got on board, the bus driver will “kneel” or tilt the bus and will put down the ramp for you if necessary. If you need help getting out of the bus, please let the bus driver know.
- All of our red streetcars are ADA accessible. To get on board, there is a lift located at the middle door of the streetcar. Tell the operator if you need to use it. If you are not in a wheelchair but need the motorized lift because of difficulty with stairs, simply walk onto the lift platform. If you are in a wheelchair, wheel your chair onto the lift platform. The lift will raise and allow you to walk or wheel on board.
- If you are in a wheelchair, the streetcar operator will secure your wheelchair to prevent it from moving when the streetcar is in motion. This tie-down area is located in the middle of the streetcar near the lift. The streetcar operator will assist you before other passengers can get on board.
- You may wish to tell the operator your destination so you can be sure to get where you’re going without any problems. The operator will announce major stops and transfer points.
- As the streetcar is approaching your desired stop, pull on the pull cord.
- Exit the streetcar. If you used the motorized lift when you got on board, the operator will help you use it again. If you need help getting out of the streetcar, please let the operator know.
- The ADA-accessible streetcars on the St. Charles Streetcar line are marked with a handicap symbol on the front and on the side of the vehicle. Currently there are four ADA-accessible streetcars. Green streetcars that do not have the accessibility symbol are not ADA-accessible.
- Riders using a wheelchair can only enter and exit at one of the accessible stops.
- There are 12 ADA-accessible stops (6 inbound and outbound). These stops are able to accommodate the wheelchair lift on the streetcar.
|
Going to Canal at Carondelet |
S. Claiborne Ave. & S. Carrollton Ave. (Stop 204) – Google Maps |
S. Claiborne Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Napoleon Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Louisiana Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Jackson Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Canal St. & Carondelet St. |
|
Going to S. Carrollton at S. Claiborne (Outbound) |
Canal St. & Carondelet St. |
Jackson Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Louisiana Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
Napoleon Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
S. Claiborne Ave. & St. Charles Ave. |
S. Claiborne Ave. & S. Carrollton Ave.(Stop 204) – Google Maps |
- Download the Accessible Guide to Riding the St. Charles Streetcar.
- To get on board, there is a lift located at the middle door of the streetcar. Tell the operator if you need to use it. If you are not in a wheelchair but need the motorized lift because of difficulty with stairs, simply walk onto the lift platform. If you are in a wheelchair, wheel your chair onto the lift platform. The lift will raise and allow you to walk or wheel on board.
- If you are in a wheelchair, the streetcar operator will secure your wheelchair to prevent it from moving when the streetcar is in motion. This tie-down area is located in the middle of the streetcar near the lift. The streetcar operator will assist you before other passengers can get on board.
- You may wish to tell the operator your destination so you can be sure to get where you’re going without any problems. The operator will announce major stops and transfer points.
- As the streetcar is approaching your desired stop, pull on the pull cord.
- Exit the streetcar. If you used the motorized lift when you got on board, the operator will help you use it again. If you need help getting out of the streetcar, please let the operator know.
- A pedestrian friendly ramp is located at each ferry for boarding easy boarding with canes and walkers, in wheelchairs, on bikes, with children in strollers, and dogs on their leashes.
- For the Canal/Algiers Ferry board using the bottom ramp. Look for the directional signs that show you how to get to the bottom ramp.
- For the Lower Algiers/Chalmette Ferry use the pedestrian ramp. Look for the directional signs that show you how to get to the pedestrian ramp.
- Exit the ferry using the ramp. If you need help getting off the ferry, please let the attendant know.
© Regional Transit Authority