New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

What New Orleans Regional Transit Authority does

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana established in 1983 and governed by an independent Board of Commissioners, operates the primary public transit network for the greater New Orleans metropolitan area across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. Its core products are multi-modal transit services: nearly 40 fixed-route bus lines, four streetcar lines (St. Charles Avenue, Canal Street to Cemeteries, Canal Street to City Park, Riverfront, and Rampart-St. Claude Avenue), two ferry routes (Algiers Point/Canal Street and Lower Algiers/Chalmette), and a shared-ride paratransit service for riders with disabilities. The digital platform centers on the Le Pass mobile application, which integrates trip planning, mobile fare payment, and real-time vehicle tracking, with backend integrations to Moovit (mapping and live arrivals), Token Transit (payment processing), Transit App (cross-system fare purchase), and Chase Payment Tech SDK (web payment encryption).

RTA's revenue model blends fare-box collection with public-sector funding. Fares are priced on a unit-pricing basis - single-ride bus/streetcar at $1.25, ferry at $2.00, Jazzy Passes from $3 (1-day) to $45 (31-day), paratransit ticket books at $20, and reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, veterans, and youth. The Regional Ride pass ($6, 24-hour) provides interoperability with Jefferson Transit (JeT), and the Opportunity Pass offers zero-fare rides to Orleans Parish youth aged 16-24 through partnerships with RIDE New Orleans and the New Orleans Public Library. The dominant funding source is government appropriations: the Board of Commissioners approved a $227.4 million 2025 Operating and Capital Budget, and the agency has secured grants from the FTA (HOPE, Bus and Bus Facilities, Passenger Ferry, Transit-Oriented Development), USDOT (RAISE), Operation Lifesaver, and the City of New Orleans, supporting fleet modernization, the Bus Rapid Transit study, the Algiers Ferry Terminal renovation, and Downtown Transit Center construction. Operations and maintenance were brought in-house in December 2020, ending reliance on an external contractor.

Name

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

Legal name

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority

Website

https://norta.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is the public transit authority for the New Orleans metro area, operating buses, streetcars, ferries, and paratransit across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes under a 2025 budget of $227.4 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transit Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Special Needs Transportation (485991), Urban Transit Systems (48511)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intermodal Public Transit Operators (Bus + Rail Integrated Agencies) (TLAFAGAG), Integrated Multimodal Transit Agencies (Bus + Rail) (THAIAEAD)

Keywords

• Public transit services
• Multimodal transportation
• Paratransit services
• Mobile fare payment
• Streetcar operations

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Transit Fares and Passes: RTA generates revenue through the sale of single-ride fares, time-based passes (Jazzy Passes), and special fares for various rider categories. Revenue sources include single-ride bus/streetcar fares ($1.25 adult), ferry fares ($2.00), and multi-day passes ($3 to $45). Reduced fares are available for seniors, disabled riders, and youth.
2. Federal and State Transit Funding: As a public transit authority, RTA receives significant funding from federal sources including FTA grants, as well as state and local government appropriations. The 2025 Operating and Capital Budget is $227.4 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RTA operates a multi-modal public transit system across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes, providing fixed-route bus service (nearly 40 routes), four streetcar lines, two ferry routes on the Mississippi River, and paratransit service. The agency sells transit access through single-ride fares ($1.25 adult bus/streetcar; $2.00 ferry), time-based Jazzy Passes ($3 to $45), and the Le Pass mobile app with real-time tracking, trip planning, and mobile fare payment.

Product overview

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates a multi-modal public transit system consisting of fixed-route bus services (nearly 40 routes), four streetcar lines (St. Charles, Canal Street, Riverfront, and Rampart-St. Claude), ferry services (Algiers Point/Canal Street and Lower Algiers/Chalmette), and paratransit services for eligible riders with disabilities. The core digital offering is the Le Pass mobile app, which integrates trip planning, mobile fare payment, and real-time vehicle tracking for all transit modes. Physical fare products include Jazzy Pass cards (available in 1-day through 31-day durations), Regional Ride passes for cross-system travel with Jefferson Transit, and the Opportunity Pass zero-fare program for youth aged 16-24. The Le Pass app also connects with JP Transit buses, expanding regional transit coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Le Pass: Official RTA transit mobile application providing trip planner, mobile payment, and real-time transit information for buses, streetcars, and ferries.
• Jazzy Pass
• Regional Ride
• Opportunity Pass

Products and services

• Bus Services Fixed-route bus service covering nearly 40 routes across every neighborhood in New Orleans, including standard buses with accessibility features and bike racks for rider use across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
• Streetcar Services Four streetcar lines operating through iconic New Orleans areas: St. Charles Avenue (historic green cars), Canal Street (to Cemeteries and City Park), Riverfront, and Rampart-St. Claude Avenue (modern red streetcars).
• Ferry Services Car and passenger ferry services connecting both banks of the Mississippi River: Algiers Point/Canal Street ferry and Lower Algiers/Chalmette ferry.
• Paratransit Service Shared-ride, curb-to-curb service for customers unable to use regular transit due to disability or disabling health condition. Available through ADA ID Center certification and paratransit ticket books.
• Le Pass Mobile App Official RTA mobile application providing trip planner, mobile fare payment, and real-time bus/streetcar/ferry tracking in one app. Allows users to purchase and validate passes directly on phones and live-tracks JP Transit buses in Jefferson Parish.
• Jazzy Pass Stored-value pass cards valid for unlimited trips on RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries. Available in 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and 31-day durations, as well as youth and senior discounted versions.
• Regional Ride Combined fare pass allowing riders to ride both RTA and Jefferson Transit (JeT) lines with one pass, valid for 24 hours after first use. Available on RTA and JeT vehicles, Le Pass app, and TVMs.
• Opportunity Pass Zero-fare transit pass pilot program providing free rides to eligible Orleans Parish residents aged 16-24, accessible through the Le Pass app and signup at any New Orleans Public Library location.
• Le Pass Mobile Fare Payment Integrated mobile payment system allowing riders to purchase and store transit passes digitally via the Le Pass app, with payment processing via Token Transit Inc. and Chase Payment Tech SDK encryption.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 million+ ferry passenger trips completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Plaquemines PortminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Partnership on regional ferry service expansion.
• RIDE New OrleanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2024Partnership for the Opportunity Pass zero-fare pilot program providing free transit passes to eligible Orleans Parish residents aged 16-24. RIDE New Orleans serves as a lead partner in administering the program alongside New Orleans Public Library and New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board.
• JOB1 Career SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2021Partnership to hire graduates from Louisiana State Penitentiary's Automotive Technology Program. RTA creates on-the-job training for non-violent offenders who complete the auto mechanic apprenticeship program, initially hiring bus mechanic and body repair technician trainees at $23.67/hour.
• New Orleans Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Opportunity Pass program allowing eligible youth to sign up for free transit passes at any library location.
• New Orleans Children and Youth Planning BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Opportunity Pass program for zero-fare transit for Orleans Parish youth aged 16-24.
• Moovit Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing Le Pass mobile application features including detailed location/route information, GPS signals, live arrivals/departures, and trip planning functionality.
• Token Transit Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner for Le Pass mobile application handling ticket purchase transactions and payment processing.
• Jefferson Transit (JeT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transit partner allowing riders to transfer between RTA and JeT systems. RTA, JeT, and SBURT have separate fare systems, but the Regional Ride pass allows one fare to ride both RTA and JeT.
• St. Bernard Parish Rapid Urban Transit (SBURT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional transit partner allowing transfers between RTA and SBURT systems.
• Blue BikesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity's shared bike option integrated with transit system. Bikes can be brought aboard ferries and secured at designated bike racks.
• Brandan 'BMike' Odum / Studio BeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic arts partnership creating culturally relevant public art on RTA buses featuring artwork by Brandon 'B. Mike' Odum.
• Ashe Cultural Arts CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in public arts initiative to create culturally relevant public art buses celebrating New Orleans culture and civil rights history.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA): MARTA operates bus, heavy rail, and Mobility paratransit across metro Atlanta with a similar board-governed political subdivision structure to NORTA, making it a strong operational and governance peer.
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA): SFMTA runs the iconic Muni bus and historic streetcar (F-line) network plus paratransit in San Francisco — strong direct peer given the historic streetcar operations, federally-funded modernization programs, and combined bus/streetcar/paratransit service delivery.
• TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon): TriMet operates bus, light rail (MAX), streetcar, and paratransit (LIFT) services in the Portland metro under an independent district governance structure — directly comparable to NORTA's multi-modal bus/streetcar/ferry/paratransit operations under a Board of Commissioners.
• Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PATH): PATH operates the cross-river passenger rail and bus connection between NYC and NJ — a relevant peer specifically for NORTA's Mississippi River ferry operations and regional fare-interoperability arrangements with adjacent transit providers.
• Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO): Houston METRO runs fixed-route bus, METRORail light rail, and METROLift paratransit in the Houston region. Comparable multi-modal urban transit agency serving a comparably-sized U.S. metropolitan area with municipal-style governance.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): CTA is a much larger bus and 'L' rail operator serving Chicago — operates a similar bus + rail + paratransit service mix under a state-created authority governance model directly relevant to NORTA's charter and capital funding mechanisms.
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA): SEPTA provides multi-modal transit (bus, subway/elevated, trolley, regional rail, paratransit) in the Philadelphia region via a state-legislated authority — relevant peer for governance, ADA paratransit operations, and trolley/streetcar service paralleling NORTA's St. Charles line.
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA): WMATA provides Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess paratransit across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — a comparable tri-jurisdictional governance model serving three or more political subdivisions, similar to NORTA's Orleans/Jefferson/St. Bernard structure.
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro): LA Metro is a much larger bus, light rail, subway, and paratransit operator with the largest BRT expansion in the U.S. — directly relevant as a multi-modal peer and for NORTA's emerging BRT program planning.
• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): MBTA operates subway, bus, commuter rail, and paratransit (The RIDE) in Greater Boston — a comparable multi-modal legacy transit authority with historic streetcars/trolleys and a ferry service that parallels NORTA's historic streetcar and ferry operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NewOrleansRTA
• Facebookfacebook.com/neworleansrta
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-orleans-regional-transit-authority
• Instagraminstagram.com/neworleansrta

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Orleans Regional Transit Authority