Know Before You Go

Whether you're new to riding buses, streetcars and ferries, or an old pro, here's where you can get the answers to all your questions.

Rules and Etiquette

Whether you're on a bus, streetcar, ferry or paratransit vehicle, follow these basic rules to help make everyone's ride on RTA transit services enjoyable and safe.

  • Service animals are allowed on RTA buses, streetcars, ferries and paratransit vehicles. Pets may ride if they are carried in small containers.
  • Have fare ready prior to boarding.
  • Hold personal items or store under the seat.
  • Respect the privacy of other passengers.
  • Use audio/video equipment only with headphones.
  • Carry food and drinks in closed containers.
  • Enter at the front of the vehicle and exit by the rear doors.
  • When disabled passengers are boarding the vehicle with the lift mechanism, allow space to them and to the driver assisting them.
  • Remove young children from strollers and fold strollers securely out of the way of other passengers.
  • Wear shirts and shoes at all times.
  • Do not lie down or place feet on seats.
  • Do not interfere with operator while operating the vehicle.
  • Do not harass other riders.
  • Do not engage in loud or unruly behavior.
  • Do not eat onboard RTA buses, streetcars, ferries or paratransit vehicles.
  • Do not smoke or vape.
  • Do not litter.
  • Do not consume alcohol or drugs.
  • Do not carry hazardous, explosive or corrosive materials.
  • Do not carry unlawful weapons or firearms.
  • Do not solicit.
  • Do not loiter.
  • Do not leave bags unattended.

Because transit brings together a lot of people in a small space, we ask our customers to follow these courtesies:

  • Allow persons with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women priority seats.
  • Don't reserve places by putting items on seats.
  • Respect the privacy of other passengers.
  • Keep your cell phone on vibrate and speak in a low voice.
  • Speak in conversational tones with your seatmates and other riders.

We appreciate your help and thank you for riding.

If you violate these rules or other federal, state or local laws on or at an RTA transit vehicle or facility, RTA Transit Police are authorized to remove you from the vehicle and/or ban you from riding for a specific period of time. You may receive verbal notice of expulsion or written notice of suspension from RTA. Failure to comply with either may subject you to arrest and/or prosecution for criminal trespass. You have the right to review or appeal a suspension. You can obtain more information about RTA’s procedures and process by contacting the RTA rideline at 504-248-3900.





Rider Policies

You may take pictures and video of the system and the sights you see when riding it. We ask that you use compact, handheld, or smartphone cameras when taking pictures or video and restrict your filming to only the public areas of the RTA system.

  • Images and video you take may only be used for personal use. For professional and commercial use, please visit our commercial Film and Music page.

  • Equipment like cables, lighting rigs, and tripods are not allowed.

  • Do not block aisles or get in the way of passengers.

  • Do not block the path of buses and streetcars.

  • Do not take flash pictures of RTA drivers.

  • Follow any instructions from RTA.

  • Do not photograph other riders without their permission.

  • Service animals accompanying customers with disabilities are allowed on-board RTA vehicles.

  • Persons with disabilities who use service animals may board with the service animal regardless of fare category.

  • Operators may ask any passenger if their animal is a service animal and/or if the animal assists them with their disability but may not require certification or identification for service animals.

  • Passengers using service animals must keep their animals under control and the animal must not pose a threat to other passengers. Failure to do so may result in the passenger being requested to exit the bus.

  • If the animal is a pet, it must travel in a carrier and the cage or carrier must fit on the person’s lap.

  • Eating is not allowed on RTA vehicle.
  • Drinking is allowed only from closed containers with a cap or straw.