Bus service links 3 parishes, Kenner
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
CONVENT — A new regional transit system is operating bus service linking St. James Parish with St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes as well as Kenner in Jefferson Parish.
The River Parishes Transit Authority picks up passengers from St. James Parish Transit buses at the parish’s Welcome Center, in Gramercy on Airline Highway, Operations Manager Aislinn Costello said.
The new transportation system serves a population of around 101,000 people living within the 143-square-mile area of St. Charles and St. John parishes.
St. James Transit fares cost $1 and the connecting RPTA fare costs an additional $2 for a one-way trip, $4 for a daily pass or $60 for a monthly pass.
Bus service is offered from 5:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“The new system is an on-demand system and does not have set routes, but will instead be a curbside pick-up service,” Costello said.
“All the start-up costs, like acquiring the buses, are being paid for by state and federal grants. The two parishes are paying for what the grants don’t cover, such as operating costs.”
RPTA came online in February, but planning for the transit system began in 2000, when the South Central Planning and Development Commission was awarded a grant from the Federal Highway Administration.
The system is intended to serve the general public, as well as offer service to the physically and mentally disabled, elderly and low-income residents.
Costello also said there are no income restrictions for riders and everything will be handled by the St. James Parish Transit Authority.
The system offers both advanced reservation and demand-response trips, as well as same day add-on trips as can be reasonably accommodated.
St. James Parish residents interested in RPTA service are asked to call St. James Parish Transit at (225) 562-2354.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
