Crack of dawn, no vehicle, no problem: Transit Authority offering $2 rides as early as 5 a.m.
Published 12:10 am Wednesday, March 8, 2017
LAPLACE — Since 2009, the River Parishes Transit Authority has helped local residents get where they needed to go.
Beginning Monday, those riders will be able to get where they’re going a little earlier.
Next week, the RPTA will offer services beginning at 5 a.m. Monday through Friday.
The extension is a three-month trial, according to Stacy Van Sickle, the regional grants manager for the southeast region of the RPTA.
“It’s a demand response,” Van Sickle said. “People have called and requested an earlier pick-up time. We’re going to try it out on a trial basis and see if it works. We’ll re-evaluate in 90 days.”
Van Sickle reports that the RPTA gave 14,945 rides in 2016, an average of 1,245 per month. There are 2,819 riders currently registered to use the service in St. John the Baptist Parish.
As of today, the RPTA offers curb-to-curb rides from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. That starts 30 minutes earlier next week.
Residents of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and Jefferson parishes can call to schedule a pick-up within the River Parishes or to a spot with a connection to transit in Kenner.
Pickups and drop offs are to the nearest public street. Buses cannot enter private property, including shopping center parking lots. Buses do not run on holidays.
Riders may call 985-651-1141 or 1-877-651-1171 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule a ride.
Passengers must call at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a ride.
Riders are asked to schedule non-work related trips between the 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to help the RPTA better transport those going to and from work.
Van Sickle said the earlier pickup time is designed to help those riders heading to work. The cost is $2 per trip.
Children 4 and under ride free. Riders must have exact fare.
The RPTA has five 10- to 12-passenger vehicles, each with a wheelchair lift.
Each bus can accommodate two wheelchairs.
The program is supported by federal, state and local grant money.
For more information, call the RPTA office or visit rptarolls.org.
