The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has authorised a contract for preliminary design work on the city’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, which aims to improve journey times and network reliability across key parts of the region.
The decision was made at the RTA Board of Commissioners meeting on 18 November 2025. It follows the adoption of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in 2023 by both the New Orleans City Council and the RTA Board, which set out the proposed alignment and service concept for the planned route.
The corridor will link New Orleans East, the Central Business District and the West Bank through a combination of dedicated bus lanes, higher service frequencies, upgraded stops and stations, and traffic signal priority. These measures aim to offer more consistent journey times and improved connections between residential areas, employment centres and other destinations.
Lona Edwards Hankins, CEO of the New Orleans RTA said:Today’s BRT contract approval represents this agency’s firm commitment to delivering high-quality, rider centric transit for our city. With design work set to begin, we’re moving from vision to reality, bringing New Orleans one step closer to a faster, more connected future.
Design activity is scheduled to begin in December and will be led by AECOM, supported by a multidisciplinary team. This phase will include further public engagement to refine elements such as station layouts, lane configurations and junction designs. The agency has emphasised that community feedback will continue to shape the project as it develops.
The BRT project remains in its early design stage, and further milestones, including detailed engineering, funding approvals and construction planning, will determine its timetable for delivery.
RTA Board Chair Fred Neal said:This project is a game-changer for New Orleans transit. It reflects the years of community input and planning that went into shaping a system that truly serves the people of this city.
