The new streetcar line along N. Rampart Street and St. Claude Avenue, an extension of the line further upriver on N. Rampart, should be ready for riders the first week of October. Assuaging some concerns that this new streetcar would come in favor of sacrificing bus routes, which tend to serve locals more than tourists, NOLA.com reports the RTA has no plans of doing that.
Justin Augustine, vice president of the Transdev, the private public transit operator that manages the RTA, told the City Council’s transportation committee this week that the company is planning to invest more money into and increase both bus and streetcar services.
Specifically, the Freret and MLK bus routes will once again extend all the way to Canal so Uptown and Central City riders won’t need to transfer. There are some changes, though: Some lines will be re-routed or will stop less frequently, while others will increase stops and service hours.
The RTA recently expanded several of its lines, adding 24-hour routes and an airport express shuttle.
The N. Rampart/St. Claude streetcar is getting some finishing touches with landscaping and paving, and next week inspections and tests will take place.