The Regional Transit Authority is putting riders on notice that it is ready to roll if a hurricane threatens New Orleans, with emergency evacuation buses set to ferry people to the Smoothie King Center. RTA says its vehicles will pull up at all active bus and streetcar stops, with added options for riders who have mobility needs or pets. Riders are being told to travel light, bring only essentials in a single carry-on bag, and pack at least a week’s worth of medication.
What RTA Posted
According to the Regional Transit Authority, the emergency evacuation service will carry anyone who needs a ride to the city’s evacuation center at the Smoothie King Center, with pickups at any active bus or streetcar stop. The post notes that only service animals and small pets that can fit in a carrier or sit on a rider’s lap will be allowed on evacuation vehicles. Households with larger animals are told to plan for a separate pet transport bus and the possibility of a longer wait. The social media update also lists suggested essentials to pack and directs people to RTA’s Rideline phone line and website for more details.
City-Assisted Evacuation Hub And Timing
The city’s NOLA Ready hurricane guide lays out the City‑Assisted Evacuation program and identifies the Smoothie King Center at 1501 Dave Dixon Dr. as the central hub where evacuees are registered and then transferred to state or federal shelters. The guide advises residents who may need help to text EVACNOLA to 77295. It explains that modified RTA bus and paratransit routes will bring riders to the Smoothie King Center from inbound stops and that the evacuation network includes senior evacuspots and transit hubs that feed into that main embarkation point. The same planning page offers a downloadable Hurricane Guide with additional packing and preparation tips.
Rules For Pets, Bags And Special Pickups
RTA’s hurricane preparedness guide reiterates the one‑bag rule and recommends bringing a week’s supply of medication. It also tells riders with mobility or medical needs to set up a Smart911 profile and call 311 to request point‑to‑point pickup in an evacuation. The guide specifies that small pets weighing 20 pounds or less that fit in a carrier may ride on regular buses, while larger animals will be moved on dedicated pet transport coordinated through 311 and the Louisiana SPCA. The document also walks through how RTA brings service back online in phases after a storm and where evacuees can expect free return rides into neighborhoods once conditions are considered safe.
When Service Will Wind Down
The RTA post states that emergency evacuation bus service will stop 24 hours before sustained tropical‑force winds of about 35 mph, a cutoff meant to keep vehicles and riders out of dangerous conditions. City guidance describes the timing in a slightly different way. NOLA Ready notes that transit services typically begin winding down about 42 hours before an expected landfall and can be suspended around 18 hours before the storm’s arrival. With those different time markers in play, officials urge evacuees to watch both sets of updates as forecasts shift. Because storm tracks and operating plans can change quickly, RTA stresses that riders should rely on its real‑time information channels as a storm approaches.
Where To Get Help And Updates
Riders with questions can call RTA’s Rideline at (504) 248-3900 or visit RTA for service alerts and the agency’s Hurricane Guide. For more specialized assistance, the city directs residents to call 311 or create a Smart911 profile so emergency planners can identify mobility or medical needs in advance of an evacuation. RTA’s online pages and its Rider’s Digest are also listed as places to check for real‑time service changes.
With hurricane season underway, city and transit officials say they are working together to make sure residents without cars still have a clear way out if a mandatory evacuation is ordered. For now, the standing advice is simple: keep an eye on local forecasts and stick with official channels for the latest instructions.
