Regional Transit Authority 2027 Budget

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions that may contain errors.

What: the Regional Transit Authority presented a preliminary 2027 budget (to be adopted by its board next month); it receives no city operating money.
Where it stands: budget hearing presentation on October 22, 2026; no vote.
Next: council budget deliberations before adoption.

Operating budget about $225 million, flat for 2027 with no added staff (881 FTEs, about 8% vacancy); capital revenue falls about $21 million as grants are spent; federal formula funding about $23.3 million. No city capital money is requested; local match for capital drops from about $14 million to about $10 million.
2027 goals: Algiers and New Orleans East service plans, bus rapid transit engineering, downtown transit center design, new fare technology, ADA street car stops, 37 new buses. The CEO selection was to be decided at the board's October 27 meeting.
Matthew Willard asked about bringing the Youth Opportunity Pass in house; RTA said funding for it runs out this year and a youth rate of 40 cents remains. See Youth Opportunity Pass Program. A public speaker urged supporting transit.

2026-10-22 - City Council Budget Hearings - Presentation and questions from the Budget Committee.