Federal and city officials will gather at the Union Passenger Terminal today to kick off service on the new Loyola Avenue streetcar line. Special stops are planned along the mile-and-a-half route.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be among the officials on the debut ride of the bright red streetcar to Canal Street. The project was done with $45 million in federal funds awarded to projects with economic benefits.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Regional Transit Authority Chairwoman Barbara Major will have toasts at stops along the way. There are five solar-powered shelters on the route, equipped with video kiosks.
City planners hope the streetcar line will serve tourists as well as residents who want to use public transportation instead of driving downtown.