NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Regional Transit Authority is cutting back on bus service and with fewer busses, wait times are getting longer.
According to RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins, “These changes were not taken lightly and the biggest thing that we took into consideration is our fleet availability. We have a very old fleet by RTA and industry standards. Most of our buses were procured after Katrina, so 2008 to 2012, and none were procured again until 2019.”
On a ride-along with Hankins, she sought to explain why it was necessary to reduce frequency on many of the bus routes around town. The frequency changes will vary based on demand for service.
“Most of them, it’s minor adjustments, like six to eight minutes, but some may be 30-minute adjustments where the bus only comes every hour as opposed to 30 minutes, and we needed to spread coverage because every route needed at least one bus,” said Hankins.
No bus routes are being eliminated and Hankins points to the current shortage of mechanics as part of the agency’s woes, but there is a plan in place to improve operations.
Visit the RTA’s website for more information.
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