New Orleans — Transit Cutbacks

Rail Transit Online, July 2006 

With special federal operating subsidies scheduled to end on June 30, the Regional Transit Authority plans to slash staff and reduce service, although the two streetcar lines now operating on Canal Street and along the riverfront, plus the City Park spur, will continue.  Beginning July 1, the 28 post-hurricane bus routes will be cut to 24 and passengers, who had been riding free since service was restored after Katrina, will pay the regular $1.25 fare. 

Meanwhile, RTA officials said it will be at least another year before the St. Charles streetcar line will be repaired.  Work began in May on a $10-million project to replace the overhead power system, the entire cost being covered by a federal grant.  The RTA also plans to begin producing new replica heritage streetcars, similar to the 24 units built for the Canal line, that were heavily damaged by flooding following Katrina.  The team of craftsmen who assembled those cars will be called back to work at Carrollton Station and will turn out up to eight new vehicles a year.  A portion of the RTA’s insurance settlement will be used to initiate the program.