New Orleans to Offer Free Transit to Youth

Residents between 16 and 24 will have access to free public transit passes starting in September.

1 minute read

July 23, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Red and yellow New Orleans streetcar running down street lined with palm trees

A streetcar in New Orleans, Louisiana. | f11photo / Adobe Stock

New Orleans residents aged 16 to 24 will have access to free passes for local public transit including Regional Transit Authority (RTA) services, reports Joni Hess for the Times-Picayune.

Residents will be able to sign up at local libraries starting in September as part of the city’s effort to improve mobility for youth.  “This pilot program is funded by a $2.5 million budget allocation the City Council approved last year using American Rescue Plan Act money. RTA will receive a majority of the funding, while transit advocacy group RIDE New Orleans will get a portion for advertising and other supports.”

A report from advocacy group RIDE notes that transportation is a vital need for youth and provides valuable independence and access to jobs and social opportunities.

Cities must allocate federal pandemic relief funds by December 2024 or lose access to the funding. “By December 2026, around $110 million in in remaining ARPA funds must be spent by [New Orleans], according to federal requirements.”

Saturday, July 20, 2024 in The Times-Picayune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

6 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News