The Mayor's Office of Nighttime Economy in New Orleans is addressing traffic congestion on Frenchmen Street by launching a rideshare pilot program with Uber and Lyft. This program will create designated pickup and drop-off zones to help ease traffic in the busy two-block area known for its live music and nightlife, which often experiences heavy congestion during peak hours. Uber and Lyft are estimated to account for about 80 percent of the traffic in this area.
According to the City of New Orleans website, the initiative, dubbed the Frenchmen Rides, will run from September 26 through November 24, operating Thursday to Saturday nights, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. During these periods, rideshare vehicles will be rerouted to the newly established zones situated one block away from the heart of Frenchmen Street, enabling a safer and less congested experience for both visitors and locals. Non-rideshare traffic, along with pedestrians, will maintain their access to the street, ensuring that there is continuous movement along the strip.
"We’re excited to roll out the Frenchmen Rides initiative for improved safety for both patrons and nightlife workers on Frenchmen Street," Michael Ince, Director of the Mayor's Office of Nighttime Economy, a statement obtained by the City of New Orleans is set on making these changes more permanent, emulating the success seen in other cities with geofencing solutions around busy nightlife districts.
The designated pickup and drop-off spots for Uber and Lyft are located on Elysian Fields Avenue: Zone 1 is at 700 Elysian Fields Avenue next to Washington Square Park, and Zone 2 is at 500 Elysian Fields Avenue near the Premium Parking lot. Javier Correoso, Uber's Director of Public Affairs, expressed support for the program, emphasizing the importance of shared mobility and the collaboration between Uber and the City of New Orleans to create safe spaces for riders near the busy nightlife area.
Signage at these zones will continue as usual during the day but will change after hours to "Passenger Zone: No Parking", with enforcement measures including ticketing and towing for violators. As rides are booked to or from Frenchmen Street, between Esplanade Ave & Royal Street, the Uber and Lyft apps will direct users to the designated rideshare zones, aiming to streamline traffic flow and enhance safety on one of New Orleans' most iconic streets, according to the City of New Orleans.
