Get answers below to your questions about Opportunity Pass, including signing up for the program and using your benefits through the RTA Le Pass app.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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What is the Opportunity Pass pilot program?
The Opportunity Pass pilot will make free RTA transit passes available to Orleans Parish youth and young adults ages 16-24.
What are the goals of this pilot?
The goals of the Opportunity Pass pilot program include:
- Improving job and education outcomes for Opportunity Youth (OY).
- Increasing transit ridership in the near-and long-term.
- Making transit easier to use and access for youth riders.
- Obtaining enrollment and usage data for program cost-benefit evaluation.
- Maximizing the benefits of the City’s investment, in terms of total enrollment and usage.
How is this program being funded?
This pilot program is being funded by the City of New Orleans, which has allocated $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) fiscal recovery funds to create a Youth Fare Transportation fund.
When does this program start / end?
The program will launch on September 3, 2024 and end on August 31, 2025.
Who is managing this program?
The program is a partnership between Ride New Orleans, New Orleans Children and Youth Planning Board, New Orleans Public Library, and Regional Transit Authority:
- The New Orleans Public Library is administering signups at library locations.
- Ride New Orleans is managing the program, conducting outreach, and performing impact assessments.
- NOLA CYPB is assisting with program development and outreach, and overseeing impact assessment and reporting in collaboration with RIDE.
- The Regional Transit Authority is distributing passes and sharing usage data for program evaluation.
ENROLLMENT AND ELIGIBILITY
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Who can enroll in the pilot?
Any Orleans Parish resident ages 16-24 can enroll in the pilot. We define this to include anyone born between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2009. Enrollment in the pilot requires access to a smartphone.
Why only 16-24 year olds?
The pilot program is designed to benefit New Orleans youth and young adults within the 16-24 ‘Opportunity Youth’ age range who are old enough to have independent travel needs. Our goal is to make sure that individual New Orleans youth and young adults who lack access to transportation – or are currently paying for their own transit fares – can benefit from this program.
Why only Orleans Parish residents?
Orleans Parish residents are eligible because the pilot program is funded through City of New Orleans American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.
Why is a smartphone required to enroll?
A smartphone is required to enroll in the pilot program because transit passes are distributed through the RTA Le Pass app.
Is there a maximum number of people who can enroll in the pilot?
Yes, capacity in the pilot is limited, and we encourage people to sign up as early as possible to ensure they can participate.
HOW TO SIGN UP
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How and where do I sign up?
Eligible residents can sign up by visiting a New Orleans Public Library branch and bringing their smartphone. To sign up, you will fill out a brief enrollment survey at the Library front desk and receive an activation code for free passes through the RTA Le Pass app.
Group and on-site signups are available on a limited basis to providers and other organizations. Contact opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org for more information on how to apply for a group signup.
Does the RTA handle signups directly?
No. To enroll, you must visit a Library branch or apply for a group / on-site signup.
Which Library branches offer signups, and when are they open?
You can sign up at any library location in Orleans Parish, including the Main Library and neighborhood branches.
TAP TO VIEW LIBRARY MAP
A map of New Orleans Public Library locations. Click to view full-size.
Library branches are typically open Monday through Saturday as follows:
Main Library
Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday Closed
All Other Library Locations
Monday – Thursday 10am – 7pm
Friday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday Closed
Click HERE to see today’s open hours for all library locations.
What should I do before coming to the Library?
We encourage you to download and install the RTA Le Pass app before coming to the library. You may also fill out and print the pre-enrollment survey to bring with you when you sign up.
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What do I need to bring with me to the Library?
You need to bring your smartphone to the library. This will allow you to enter your activation code in the RTA Le Pass app to download and use transit passes.
What information do I need to provide when signing up?
When you arrive at the library, you will be asked to fill out a pre-enrollment survey and download the RTA Le Pass app. You will need to provide your name, home address and zip code, date of birth, and cell phone number to enroll in the program. You can also print and fill out the form here to bring with you to the library.
Can I bring a group to sign up at the Library?
Small groups are permitted to enroll at the library, but please be respectful of the time and capacity of the Library staff to enroll participants while they are also assisting other Library patrons.
If a group of more than five wishes to enroll on-site at the library, we encourage each participant to download and install the RTA Le Pass app in advance, and to print and bring a filled-out pre-enrollment survey. The Library cannot commit to accommodating walk-up groups of more than ten participants.
Providers and organizations wishing to enroll large groups should reach out to opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org regarding group on-site enrollment options.
Can I sign up on behalf of someone else?
No. Because this program is designed for individuals, the enrollment process must be completed by the individual who is using Opportunity Pass.
How can I apply for a group / on-site signup?
Email Ride New Orleans at opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org regarding group / on-site signup options.
HOW TO USE PASSES
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How many passes can I download at once?
You can download a maximum of one transit pass per day. Each pass is valid for 24 hours.
What happens if I delete Le Pass or get a new phone?
Your Le Pass account is tied to the cell phone number you used to create an account. If you get a new phone with the same cell phone number, can download and re-install Le Pass on any device and use the phone number you used to enroll to re-access your account information and transit passes.
If you get a new phone with a different number, you will need to re-enroll in the program by visiting the Library and re-completing the signup process.
Which RTA transit routes can I ride with Opportunity Pass?
You can ride all RTA bus, streetcar, and ferry routes using Opportunity Pass. Opportunity Pass is not valid on JP transit routes or paratransit.
Can I use Opportunity Pass to ride Jefferson Parish transit?
No. Opportunity Passes are only valid on RTA transit routes. However, you may use the RTA Le Pass app to purchase Jefferson Parish transit passes.
I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT…
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General transit issues
General transit issues ex. “Where is my bus stop?” should be directed to RTA Rideline at (504) 248-3900.
Le Pass technical support
For Le Pass-related questions, contact RTA Rideline at (504) 248-3900.
Group / on-site signups
Organizations that work with Opportunity Youth ages 16-24 are eligible to apply for a group, on-site enrollment administered by Ride New Orleans. Group signups are available on a limited basis to providers and other organizations. Contact opportunitypass@rideneworleans.org for more information.