Veolia, New Orleans RTA reach agreement
Company has been operating public transportation in city under traditional management contract with RTA since October of 2008.
Veolia Transportation agreed on agreed on terms for a 10-year contract (five-year initial term with a five-year renewal based upon performance goals) with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
Veolia Transportation, North America subsidiary of Veolia Transport, has been operating public transportation in New Orleans under a traditional management contract with the New Orleans RTA since October of 2008. This new contract substantially expands the company's scope of responsibilities and commences on September 1, 2009.
Under the new delegated management contract, Veolia Transportation will be responsible for all aspects of the performance of public transportation in New Orleans, including operations, safety, maintenance, customer care, routes and schedules, capital planning and grant administration. Veolia will be compensated at approximately $56.3 million per year by the RTA and will be responsible to pay all salaries, benefits and operating expenses. RTA employees will also become employees of the company.
The RTA's Board of Commissioners will retain its policy-making authority for fares, service and operations, as well as approval of each year's annual transportation development plan, including major initiatives, capital purchases and operating budget.
More Bus

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project
The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.
Read More →
Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation
The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.
Read More →
VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026
San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.
Read More →
LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth
The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.
Read More →
Frontrunner Bus Group Introduces XF Low-Floor Bus with Enhanced Accessibility
The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.
Read More →
Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →
Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
Read More →