Mayor LaToya Cantrell, joined by city leaders and community partners, has announced the launch of the Opportunity Pass Program, providing free access to transit services for Orleans Parish youth aged 16-24. The initiative, introduced on Tuesday, September 3, offers eligible participants one year of free rides on all RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries, removing financial barriers to transportation.
The program is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the New Orleans Public Library, and advocacy groups such as RIDE New Orleans. It is part of the Cantrell Administration’s “Meeting People Where They Are” initiative, aimed at improving access to essential services, including education, employment
“This is letting our young people understand firsthand that we are listening to them and activating these resources is a real example of that,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We want to ensure that our young people, our families, our parents, all those who support the youth in our city know to take advantage of this program. We are meeting our young people where they are, by doing that we are improving the overall life of our youth and our city.”
“This took a lot of time, a lot of organization, a lot of attention, and listening to the young people,” said Asya Howlette, Director, Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families. “We made sure we were thinking what are the root causes and its always going to go back to housing transportation and work.”
“The Opportunity Pass is the result of months of hard work, collaboration, and cooperation with several different agencies and City leaders,” said Lona Edwards Hankins, Chief Executive Officer, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. “We are proud and excited to serve as a partner on this project. This pilot is rooted in RTA’s commitment to equity, while providing a world-class rider experience. These riders represent our next generation, and so often are our most vulnerable. We must embrace every opportunity to help get them to their jobs, their schools, and their communities.”
“Our goal is to provide quality, equitable, and reliable transportation for our community,” said Fred Neal, Jr., Commissioner of RTA. “We believe that pilots like this are essential to achieving our goal. We are excited about RTA transit in the upcoming months. We look forward to this successful pilot and future funding and continue to provide wonderful transit service for the City of New Orleans.”
Key Details About the Opportunity Pass Program:
- Launch Date: Tuesday, September 3
- Eligibility: Orleans Parish youth ages 16-24
- How to Register: In-person registration at any New Orleans Public Library branch
- Transit Access: Unlimited rides on RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries for one year
- First-Come, First-Served: Parents or guardians cannot register on behalf of the youth
During the pilot year, participating youth will be invited to provide feedback through focus groups, helping refine the program and gather data for potential long-term funding.
For more information about the Opportunity Pass Program, contact [email protected].
