New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is advising riders to expect delays and plan ahead as French Quarter Fest brings increased travel demand and street activity across downtown New Orleans. 

With thousands of residents and visitors moving through the festival, footprint, bus, and streetcar service in and around the area may experience delays due to heavy traffic, congestion, and increased ridership. 

To help accommodate the anticipated increase in riders traveling to and from the French Quarter, Canal Street streetcar service will be supplemented with buses throughout the three-day festival weekend. RTA operations supervisors will also monitor ridership and service conditions in real time and adjust as needed to help maintain reliable service. 

Ferry Service (Canal Street – Algiers Point)
RTA ferry service will operate with enhanced capacity to support higher ridership demand. 

• Additional service capacity will be staged for anticipated high ridership. 
• A second ferry vessel will enter service when demand dictates. 
• Departure frequency may be adjusted in real time based on passenger demand. 
• Due to ongoing construction at the Algiers Point Ferry Terminal, passenger queuing at Algiers Point is temporarily routed along the levee heading downriver. Signage and a bike detour will be in place.

Bus and Streetcar Service 
Riders should expect delays on the following bus routes, including:

• #11 Magazine
• #51 St. Bernard–Claiborne
• #52 Paris–Broadmoor
• #55 Elysian Fields
• #57 Franklin/Freret
• #91 Jackson/Esplanade

Streetcar service may also experience delays on the following lines: 

• #12 St. Charles
• #47 Canal/Cemeteries
• #48 Canal/City Park
• #49 Riverfront/UPT

While service levels will be maintained across the system, riders should allow additional travel time and expect congestion throughout the downtown area. 

RTA encourages riders to plan well before traveling. Service alerts and live updates are available at norta.com through the Le Pass mobile app and for additional assistance, riders can call Rideline at 504-248-3900. 

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The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is a sub-division of the State of Louisiana which is operated by an independent Board of Commissioners that serves Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes. The agency operates car and passenger ferries, fixed-route buses, Paratransit, and streetcar services. For updates, service alerts, and agency news, follow the RTA on social media: @neworleansrta on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook, and New Orleans Regional Transit Authority on LinkedIn.