The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), in collaboration with LabMar Ferry Services, LLC, has introduced a pilot programme to extend evening ferry services on the Algiers–Canal Street route.
Running from 15 June to 27 September 2025, the initiative will test the demand and operational impact of later departures, particularly for workers and residents who rely on nighttime travel.
The extended service is designed to support hospitality staff, musicians, and other community members working or commuting during late hours.
The pilot will operate seven days a week, with ferries departing every 15 minutes. The final eastbound crossing from Algiers will now be at midnight, with the last westbound trip from Canal Street leaving at 12:15 am. This expands beyond the previous schedule, which ended between 8:45 pm. and 10:45 pm, depending on the day.
Fares will remain consistent at 2.00 USD per journey, maintaining affordability while the service is under evaluation.
RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins said:The ferry is an integral part of our regional transit network. Extending its hours is an effort to support New Orleans’ nighttime workforce and meeting the real needs of our riders. This pilot allows us to test in a controlled way and respond to what the community has long asked for, later ferry service.
The pilot period was intentionally scheduled during the summer months when tourism activity tends to be lower. This timing provides a clearer opportunity to assess local ridership without the influence of large-scale events or seasonal fluctuations. The quieter summer period offers a better baseline for evaluating demand from residents rather than visitors.
Throughout the three-month pilot, RTA and LabMar Ferry Services will monitor passenger numbers, operational costs, and rider feedback to inform decisions about the future of late-night ferry services. The results will help determine whether extended hours can be sustained beyond the trial period as part of the broader transit offering in the region.
