Meet RIDE New Orleans
RIDE is leading the charge in advocating for world-class and equitable public transportation that works for all residents across the New Orleans region. Through their advocacy efforts, RIDE is making public transit in New Orleans more affordable and accessible for youth.
What They’re Doing:
Advocating for the Opportunity Pass!
RIDE advocated for and won funding to launch a pilot program offering Orleans Parish youth, ages 16-24, free, unlimited rides on all RTA buses, streetcars, and ferries. Just one year into the program, more than 7,000 youth have signed up for for free transit. The program was originally approved as a one-year pilot, and now New Orleans youth ages 16-24 can continue to get free, unlimited rides on RTA with the Opportunity Pass program continuing into a second year. RIDE continues advocacy to make the Opportunity Pass a permanent offering for New Orleans youth.
Hiring Youth Transit Ambassadors!
The Opportunity Pass program is completely youth-centered. All aspects of this pilot are co-designed by youth and led by four Youth Transit Ambassadors, including the development of the program, the creation of marketing materials, and the outreach and engagement strategy.
“The Youth Master Plan is vital to RIDE's work because it helps us ensure that we are shaping our city with our futures leaders in mind and at the forefront of our advocacy.”
— Courtney Jackson, Executive Director, RIDE
How They’re Youth Master Plan Aligned:
✓ SPACE & PLACE + YOUTH VOICE
YMP GOALS:
↑ % of household access to high capacity transit lines in 15 minutes or less via bike or foot
↑ % of household access to youth-centered services and resources
↑ the collective awareness of and value for supporting our young people’s development of agency and identity
YMP SOLUTIONS:
Affordable, Youth-Friendly Transportation (SP3)
Expanding Youth Decision Making Opportunities (YV3)
$ FUNDING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The Opportunity Pass pilot program was developed as a result of a $2.5 million allocation of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and RIDE continues advocacy efforts to make the Opportunity Pass a permanent offering for New Orleans youth.
Follow & Connect With RIDE
rideneworleans.org | @rideneworleans on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook
