The Regional Transit Authority will begin ramping up public transportation service starting early Sunday morning, the agency said in a press release Wednesday.
Beginning at 3 a.m. Sunday, RTA will operate its buses and streetcars on the Saturday schedule. It will also resume collecting fares. RTA had suspended fare collection on March 29 when it also suspended several bus and streetcar lines and reduced the frequencies of others.
The Algiers Point Ferry will operate from 6 a.m. (leaving Algiers) to 9:30 p.m. (leaving Canal Street). The Lower Algiers/Chalmette ferry will continue to operate from 6 a.m. (leaving lower Algiers) to 8:45 a.m. (leaving Chalmette).
The news comes as the city prepares to slowly start reopening its economy on Saturday, when Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s stay-at-home order expires, and when some businesses will be allowed to reopen with reduced capacities.
The RTA is encouraging riders to pre-pay their fares using its GoMobile app in order to speed up boarding, promote social distancing, and reduce the chance that people will congregate as they wait to pay on board.
RTA is still requiring that all riders wear a face covering while riding public transportation vehicles. Children under 2 years old do not have to wear face coverings, and neither do those who are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition.
