An RTA bus on South Galvez Street on Friday, May 16, 2025. The New Orleans City Council pledged support for Opportunity Pass, a free transit program , at its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3). " data-image-caption=" An RTA bus on South Galvez Street on Friday, May 16, 2025. The New Orleans City Council pledged support for Opportunity Pass, a free transit program , at its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3). " data-large-file="https://cdn.veritenews.org/uploads/2025/06/21223411/RTA_04.jpg" /> The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support the search for funding to continue the Opportunity Pass program at its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3).
Verite News · Diego Perdomo · September 3, 2026
An RTA bus on South Galvez Street on Friday, May 16, 2025. The New Orleans City Council pledged support for Opportunity Pass, a free transit program , at its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3).
" data-image-caption=" An RTA bus on South Galvez Street on Friday, May 16, 2025. The New Orleans City Council pledged support for Opportunity Pass, a free transit program , at its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3).
" data-large-file="https://cdn.veritenews.org/uploads/2025/06/21223411/RTA_04.jpg" /> Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story.
The New Orleans City Council on Thursday (Sept. 3) formally pledged the city’s support in the search for funding to continue the “Opportunity Pass” program, which offers fare-free rides on New Orleans Regional Transit Authority buses, ferries and streetcars to commuters aged 16 to 24.
In a unanimous decision, the city council approved the resolution, which is not legally binding, during its regular meeting on Thursday (Sept. 3). The measure lauds the success of the pilot program — which launched in 2024, signing up more than 11,000 young people in total — and promises the council’s support in making the program permanent, provided that adequate funding is secured.
“This is an example of a successful program. It is something the city has done well that supports our youth,” said City Councilmember Eugene Green, who chairs the city’s transportation committee, at the meeting . “I hope that we will work with members of the council and even maybe with the state and other funders to continue the provision of funding that keeps this program going.”
The resolution comes after the council’s Transportation and Airport Committee recommended it at its meeting on Aug. 27. Prior to that committee meeting, Ride New Orleans, the nonprofit group that administers the program, ended enrollments on Aug. 14 in order to continue operating the program as long as possible before an end-of-year federal funding cutoff.
Moving forward, Ride is seeking donations and other funding partners to sustain the free passes in the midst of an ongoing budget crunch at City Hall. Ride estimates that it will cost $850,000 per year to keep the program going.
Ride Executive Director Courtney Jackson expressed her gratitude for the City Council’s pledge in a statement sent to Verite News.
“The Opportunity Pass has shown what is possible when our community invests in young people and removes transportation as a barrier,” Jackson said. “We now invite foundations, businesses, government partners, and other community stakeholders to join us in building a sustainable future for this proven program.”