Opportunity Pass Pilot Program
Ride New Orleans (RIDE) is closing applications for its Opportunity Pass Pilot Program because of the program's "overwhelming" success.
The program, which is a partnership between RIDE, RTA, and the New Orleans Public Library, will no longer accept applications after August 14, 2026.
What is The Opportunity Pass Pilot Program?
Started in September 2024, the program offers free RTA passes to young adults aged 16-24 in Orleans Parish.
Its goal is to reduce financial barriers to transportation for youth, make jobs and educational opportunities more accessible, grow ridership, and collect data to improve transportation.
New Orleans Public Library Executive Director and City Librarian Emily Painton says those goals were met exceedingly, and the library saw the effect this program had on New Orleans firsthand.
"We've seen firsthand how something as simple as a free ride can open doors," Painton said in a press release. "This collaboration has helped connect young people throughout our community to essential resources, opportunities, and new experiences through free transit access, exemplifying our shared commitment to meeting people where they are and working together to break down barriers to opportunity."
Individuals can sign up for the program at any New Orleans Public Library location. Passes are available both digitally, on the RTA's Le Pass app, and on paper at New Orleans Public Library locations.
What is RIDE?
RIDE, which is behind the Opportunity Pass Pilot Program, is dedicated to improving the lives of New Orleans through transportation. RIDE does this through consistent public campaigns designed to improve public transportation and access to it.
Past works have included the Better Bus Stops campaign, which set out to increase shelters at stops across New Orleans; the New Links Regional Network Redesign campaign, which studied transit routes in Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Orleans parishes to determine whether changes to bus routes were needed; and more.
Executive Director of Ride New Orleans Courtney Jackson says the overwhelming success of the Opportunity Pass Pilot Program underscores how important RIDE's work is to the city of New Orleans.
"The success of this initiative demonstrates just how transformative free transit is for young people and how essential transportation is to expanding access, fostering independence, and connecting youth to all of the opportunities our city has to offer," Jackson said in a press release.
