 | |
 RTA building on Canal Street | |
| Founded | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New Orleans |
| Service area | City of New Orleans Orleans Parish, Louisiana |
| Service type | Public transit Heritage streetcar |
| Routes | 30 (bus) 5 (streetcar) |
| Stops | 2154 (bus) 286 (streetcar) |
| Annual ridership | 9,707,300 (2023) |
| Fuel type | Diesel (bus) Electric (streetcar) |
| Operator | Transdev (through 2020) |
| Chief executive | Lona Edwards Hankins |
| Website | www.norta.com |
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA or NORTA) is a public transportation agency based in New Orleans. The agency was established by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1979, and has operated bus and historic streetcar service throughout the city since 1983, when it took over the city's mass transit system after nearly six decades' control by New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (now Entergy New Orleans).[1] In 2023, the system had a ridership of 9,707,300, or about 29,700 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024, making the Regional Transit Authority the largest public transit agency in the state of Louisiana.
Basic rates for all modes, except ferries, are $1.25 per boarding (or $0.40 for 65 and up, disabled and Medicare, $0.50 for 5–17). 24-hour Jazzy Passes are $3, or $1 for youth and $0.80 for seniors, good for all modes including ferries. There are free transfer cards, good for next 120 minutes of unlimited use (round-trips/stopovers prohibited). Under 5 with a limit of three per paid rider can board for free. Transfers to ferries from busses/streetcars require paying difference in rates.
- ^ "RTA History". www.norta.com. Retrieved July 2, 2018.