Riding the N.O. Public Bus to Jazz Fest

[festydave]

Going to the Jazzfest?
RTA is Going Your Way!
GOING TO THE JAZZ FEST! AVOID THE HASSLES!
RTA IS GOING YOUR WAY!!

Avoid the hassles of traffic and parking, take the convenient RTA streetcars and buses to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As a special service to those going to Jazz Fest, the Regional Transit Authority is providing alternatives to taking your car.

The 47 - 48 Canal Street Streetcar marked City Park/Museum can be boarded along the Riverfront between the French Market and Canal Street, or at any stop on the line between the Mississippi River and Carrollton Avenue, and take you to the end of the line at Beauregard Circle near the Fair Grounds.

The 91 Jackson/Esplanade, 42 Canal Street, and 94 Broad bus lines also provide service to the Fest.


For detailed maps and schedules, visit the agency’s Web site at www.norta.com (http://www.norta.com/). For additional information call RTA RideLine
(504) 248-3900.

RTA bus lines are fully accessible to passengers with disabilities.

[Belle]

Thanks for this reminder. I doubt hubby can walk that far from where we are staying, so cabbing is in my future. I so wanted to walk, oh well....in the name of love and the 25th I will ride with him.

Thanks again for keeping this gig going and getting better. Last year must have been a labor of love.

[mdfest]

Any idea of the cost this year? I believe it was $3 last year. Previously, it was about $1.25.
On a similar note- anyone know if the Airport Express bus goes all the way downtown now? We always catch it- got quiet a shock when it dropped us off in Mid City last year.

[ozzie]

Remember that hilarious story about a bus under seige returning from Fest? Then there was the story about strawberries on a street car (I think). Wish my memory was better!

[bywterbro]

Any idea of the cost this year? I believe it was $3 last year. Previously, it was about $1.25.
On a similar note- anyone know if the Airport Express bus goes all the way downtown now? We always catch it- got quiet a shock when it dropped us off in Mid City last year.

Is this what your talking about...

Airport Shuttle: Shuttle service is available from the airport to the hotels in the CBD for $13.00 (per person, one-way) or $26.00 (per person, round-trip). Three bags per person. Call 1-866-596-2699 or (504) 522-3500 for more details or to make a reservation. Advance reservations are required 48 hours prior to travel for all ADA accessible transfers. Please call well enough in advance for the specially-equipped shuttle to be reserved. For group reservations of 10 or more people please dial 1-866-596-2699. Ticket booths are located on the lower level in the baggage claim area. $2 fuel surcharge added to total fare.

[swag]

Any idea of the cost this year? I believe it was $3 last year. Previously, it was about $1.25.
On a similar note- anyone know if the Airport Express bus goes all the way downtown now? We always catch it- got quiet a shock when it dropped us off in Mid City last year.

The RTA service to Fest has returned to 2005 (Pre-K) routes and prices. No more $3 like last year. Fare is $1.25 each way, exact change, coins or bills.

And the Jefferson Transit E2 bus from the airport is again running all the way to Downtown (Elks Place).

Check my website for details on both. And sign up for my blog, I had both these items weeks ago. :)

[ohio]

Street car to fest sounds kinda fun! Where exacty is Beauregard Circle?

[saturn]

Street car to fest sounds kinda fun! Where exacty is Beauregard Circle?

Found this on Wikipedia ----



The Canal Street Streetcar, in its reconception, now includes two lines. The main line, named after the original "Cemeteries" line (and designated as Route 42), travels a direct route from the foot of Canal St. at the Mississippi River to its head 3 miles inland. For much of its history, this area constituted the northern (lakeside) boundary of the city, which explains the density of cemeteries, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish, in this area. The other, designated "City Park" (designated as Route 45), begins at the French Market at the foot of Esplanade and Elysian Fields Avenues, sharing trackage with the Riverfront Line before turning onto Canal Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canal_Street%2C_New_Orleans) for most of its length. It diverges from the main trackage at Carrollton Avenue, where it turns on to N. Carrollton Avenue, ending at Beauregard Circle, at Esplanade Avenue and Bayou St. John (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou_St._John), near the entrance of the New Orleans Museum of Art (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Museum_of_Art) and within easy walking distance of the New Orleans Fairgrounds, site of the yearly Jazz and Heritage Festival.

[mrSteve]

Any of them get me close to my morning bloody mary breakfest at Lizzua's?

[Staxsun]

Street car to fest sounds kinda fun! Where exacty is Beauregard Circle?

Just toward the park from Shellfest.

[Bill/KC]

Didn't it used to be the 48 Esplanade bus that took you to the Fest? We used to catch it on Rampart. Perhaps not running anymore?

[swag]

The 48 got replaced by the 91. It now starts in the garden district, runs thru downtown, and then runs the old 48 route, except it goes both ways on Rampart now (the 48 used to take Basin towards fest for the first few blocks).

http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html

[Bill/KC]

Thanks Swag!! :cool:

[FestNut]

NORTA is confusing me, too. We're staying at the Comfort Inn on St. Charles the first weekend (wishing the streetcars were running), so I still can't figure out which bus to take to get to the Fest. We really want to get to DeSaix and Trefalgar to hitch a ride inside with some friends....

I haven't been on a city bus in 20 years and now I think I'm remembering why!

[swag]

Festnut, you're confusing me. Where y'at? :)

The only Comfort Inn in town is on Baronne. There's a Clarion and a Quality Inn (same hotel family) both on St Charles. Post the hotel address, and we can help you out.

[bluesgirl]

Dumb question, I'm sure but I have to ask...

Could you take the JeT bus from the airport to Fest? I get confused on what street I need to be on. I wouldn't be able to do it first weekend, but it could possibly be an option for second if it's doable.

[swag]

Dumb question, I'm sure but I have to ask...

Could you take the JeT bus from the airport to Fest? I get confused on what street I need to be on. I wouldn't be able to do it first weekend, but it could possibly be an option for second if it's doable.

I think it would be a schlep.

You would take the JeT E-2 bus ($1.60) to Tulane & Broad, and then transfer to the RTA #94 ($1.25) mentioned above.

[mdfest]

The Jet bus is the bomb, if your staying anywhere close to Tulane. For the cost of a tip, you end up downtown. Takes a few minutes more than a taxi, but if your not in a hurry, it pays for your fest t shirt.

[Corona]

Didn't it used to be the 48 Esplanade bus that took you to the Fest? We used to catch it on Rampart. Perhaps not running anymore?
Being the cement head that I am.....if we are at Esplanade near Port of Call..where do we walk and which number of bus do we take? Is it Esplanade and Rampart (on the corner)? Never took a New Orleans bus before....just in case we can't catch a ride every day, we need a back up....how about going back from fest?

Sorry for the spoonfeeding request but I really want to have this right....thanks guys....

[Orleansnj]

Being the cement head that I am.....if we are at Esplanade near Port of Call..where do we walk and which number of bus do we take? Is it Esplanade and Rampart (on the corner)? Never took a New Orleans bus before....just in case we can't catch a ride every day, we need a back up....how about going back from fest?

Sorry for the spoonfeeding request but I really want to have this right....thanks guys....

there is a bus stop right across the street from Port o Call on the other side of the street- the circle K (or whatever it is called now....didn't it change?)

[mdfest]

I stayed over there last year- unless something has changed, we walked to Rampart and Esp to catch the bus.

[Orleansnj]

right - post thing bus....sorry Corona - Rampart is right.

[bluesgirl]

I think it would be a schlep.

You would take the JeT E-2 bus ($1.60) to Tulane & Broad, and then transfer to the RTA #94 ($1.25) mentioned above.

Well, it's doable if I'm broke by second weekend. :D

[stlbarb]

is there a short bus i can catch?

i can't take public transportation after the fest, they won't make potty stops for me.

[FestNut]

Festnut, you're confusing me. Where y'at? :)

The only Comfort Inn in town is on Baronne. There's a Clarion and a Quality Inn (same hotel family) both on St Charles. Post the hotel address, and we can help you out.

That's what I get for letting somebody else make the reservations that weekend! It's the Maison St. Charles, Quality Inn. 1319 St. Charles. She kept putting Comfort Inn in the subject line. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!

Sorry 'bout that!

[swag]

That's what I get for letting somebody else make the reservations that weekend! It's the Maison St. Charles, Quality Inn. 1319 St. Charles. She kept putting Comfort Inn in the subject line. AAARRRGGGHHHHH!

Sorry 'bout that!

Okay then. That's 2 blocks towards the Garden District past the Expressway.

Option 1 is to walk 6 blocks away from the river to Simon Bolivar Ave and catch the #91 there. Note, at least before the hurricane, that neighborhood's reputation was somewhat iffy. Check with a local before taking this walk, especially after dark.

Option 2 is to walk 10 blocks up St Charles, away from Downtown, to Jackson Ave and catch the #91 there. A longer walk, but a safe area.

Option 3 is to take the St Charles bus those same 10 blocks, and transfer (25 cents extra) to the #91.

Option 4 is to take the St Charles bus the other way, thru downtown to Canal St, and then take the Canal Streetcar to Fest.

Option 5 is a taxicab.

[Corona]

I stayed over there last year- unless something has changed, we walked to Rampart and Esp to catch the bus.
and then heading back....we catch it where it dropped us off and we want the Esplanade bus right? #91 or #48....ugggh...I'll just get Swag to explain it when I see him first weekend...sorry Swag...I pick YOU to deal with my cement-headed-ness regarding this issue lol! Love ya bro :)

[mdfest]

its the 91. its really easy. and you can stop at port o call for dinner if necessary

[swag]

If you go to where you got off and just go across Esplanade, you're at the stop. It should be the 91, but any bus that comes there will go down Esplanade to Rampart, so don't stress over the number.

[glinda]

and then heading back....we catch it where it dropped us off and we want the Esplanade bus right? #91 or #48....ugggh...I'll just get Swag to explain it when I see him first weekend...sorry Swag...I pick YOU to deal with my cement-headed-ness regarding this issue lol! Love ya bro :)
Hey corona, I think you're staying near our usual place. We've taken the bus for years - its easy. We just start walking up Esplanade and the stop is just past Rampart. Going to fest if it's a long wait & no bus is coming (we're so anxious to get there!), usually a cab comes by and we hop in for $4 each including tip.

Leaving fest, we're usually not too with it (ahem) and have left thru all the different exits but we just follow the signs that say city bus or Esplanade bus & the bus lines move real fast. They just pile you in the next bus. We never even asked or checked what bus it was, so any bus is the right bus! Takes you to Rampart & Esplanade.

[Ludlows23]

I'm normally a bus veteran - I love it - convenient, cheap, you get to meet fun people and it drops you off right by Liuzza's - whats not to love?!?!

But this year I am staying in a different area and I havne't figured out if there is a good place to pick up da bus... normally I picked it up at Rampart and Canal...

I'm staying at the Marriott Renaissance Arts at 700 Tchoupitoulas Street - which I'm thinking is warehouse district (I didn't book it). Is there a good bus route nearby?

[Orleansnj]

I'm normally a bus veteran - I love it - convenient, cheap, you get to meet fun people and it drops you off right by Liuzza's - whats not to love?!?!

But this year I am staying in a different area and I havne't figured out if there is a good place to pick up da bus... normally I picked it up at Rampart and Canal...

I'm staying at the Marriott Renaissance Arts at 700 Tchoupitoulas Street - which I'm thinking is warehouse district (I didn't book it). Is there a good bus route nearby?

you're a couple of blocks off Canal street - walk to Canal and catch the streetcar to the fairgrounds......couldn't be easier - that's pretty cool.

[FestNut]

Okay then. That's 2 blocks towards the Garden District past the Expressway.

Option 1 is to walk 6 blocks away from the river to Simon Bolivar Ave and catch the #91 there. Note, at least before the hurricane, that neighborhood's reputation was somewhat iffy. Check with a local before taking this walk, especially after dark.

Option 2 is to walk 10 blocks up St Charles, away from Downtown, to Jackson Ave and catch the #91 there. A longer walk, but a safe area.

Option 3 is to take the St Charles bus those same 10 blocks, and transfer (25 cents extra) to the #91.

Option 4 is to take the St Charles bus the other way, thru downtown to Canal St, and then take the Canal Streetcar to Fest.

Option 5 is a taxicab.

Thank you SWAG! I knew I could count on you to decipher those schedules and routes. We have stayed with friends in the Marigny in the past and it was a straight shot for parking inside. B*tch K is still giving us fits and we've had friends move in with friends ... so we're only going to park inside the second weekend 'cuz we'll be staying somewhere else. Long story....

Almost can't wait!

[Lester_leaps_in]

Ok, here are my questions:

If I want to take the "47 - 48 Canal Street Streetcar marked City Park/Museum," on which side of the street should I wait? And, is "Riverfront" a street name?

[swag]

Ok, here are my questions:

If I want to take the "47 - 48 Canal Street Streetcar marked City Park/Museum," on which side of the street should I wait? And, is "Riverfront" a street name?

The streetcar runs down the Neutral Ground (middle of the street). Going to the Fest, you'll board the streetcar on the tracks on the FQ side of Canal. Riverfront is not a street name; the Riverfront section of that line runs alongside the river. If you're boarding there, you want the car on the tracks farther from the river, heading towards the downtown skyscrapers.

See my Google map (http://tinyurl.com/3dzmm6)for the exact location of the streetcar.

[Lester_leaps_in]

Beautiful! Thanks, Swag. 'Preciate it.

[KudzuQueen]

This helps me too! What I came to the forum for! Thanks!

[Getonup]

Has anyone taken the city bus from the airport to the quarter. How's the ride? We are staying at the Holiday Inn and I am just wondering where the bus drops off. My wife will be 7 months pregnant and I am sure not up for a long hike. Thanks for your help.

Only 8 days till the Cajun sun!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers

[swag]

Elks Place is approx. at Tulane & Loyola. About a half mile or so from the Holiday Inn on Royal.

[Zbonnie]

I'm guessing a pregnant lady might not want to walk a half mile with luggage. The shuttle bus from the airport is reasonably priced and might be your best bet.

[bluesgirl]

Has anyone taken the city bus from the airport to the quarter. How's the ride? We are staying at the Holiday Inn and I am just wondering where the bus drops off. My wife will be 7 months pregnant and I am sure not up for a long hike. Thanks for your help.

Only 8 days till the Cajun sun!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers

If you go to the airport web site, there is a link there to a hotle shuttle that is inexpensive, and will probably drop you close to your hotle.

[swag]

The hotel shuttle is $13/person one way, so $26 for the 2 of you. It will drop right in front of your hotel, but may make several stops first to drop off others.

Cab for 2 people is flat rate $28 + $1 fuel charge plus tip, so figure $34. Nonstop.

If cash is tight, you could try the E-2 bus to downtown ($1.60 x 2 = $3.20), and then take a cab from there, which should be only about $7 including tip. But check the bus schedule, it only runs hourly most of the time, so if you just miss one, you might want to take a cab or shuttle instead.

[rub1111]

Swag,

You seem to be DA MAN when it come to getting to and from the Fest. We're first-timers flying in on Friday, staying at the Marriott in Metairie (by the Causeway); going to the Quarter that night and the Festival on Saturday. Are we best cabbing the entire trip or is there any decent public transportation around the Causeway? Many thanks for your reply.

[tangledupinblue]

Swag,

You seem to be DA MAN when it come to getting to and from the Fest. We're first-timers flying in on Friday, staying at the Marriott in Metairie (by the Causeway); going to the Quarter that night and the Festival on Saturday. Are we best cabbing the entire trip or is there any decent public transportation around the Causeway? Many thanks for your reply.

Swag is at the fest right now probably drinking many beers!
Check this out for info.

http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html

[Blitzzzzz]

Swag is at the fest right now probably drinking many beers!
Check this out for info.

http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html

You can also check the NORTA (New Orleans Regional Transit Authority) site which is http://www.norta.com/ and see if it makes any sense. Fares are $1.25 each. Looks like you may have to use the JET system http://www.jeffersontransit.org/maps.htm to get into the city, but I'm not a local so someone that is could give you better info.:cool:

[Lester_leaps_in]

I'm riding the bus (a buck twenny-five each way) and it's working well for me. I recommend it if you're in the CBD.

If you feel unsure, lemme know. Maybe we can hook up and I can be your guide.

[rosetree]

I'm riding the bus (a buck twenny-five each way) and it's working well for me. I recommend it if you're in the CBD.

If you feel unsure, lemme know. Maybe we can hook up and I can be your guide.

....and he's a Marine to boot!!!!!;)

[swag]

To follow up, in case anyone reads this thread next year, I took the Canal bus a couple of times. #42, with the Zydeco Specail sign on the front. It starts way down at the River, ran up Canal, right at Carrollton, right at Esplanade, and dropped across the street from the Circle K. Picks up after Fest at the same spot (which is also where the #91 Esplanade bus does), runs Esplanade to Broad to Canal to the River. Very convenient to all the Canal St mega-hotels, and the ones on lower Poydras as well.

[Zbonnie]

One caveat: ALL the buses after the fest had the Zydeco Special sign on the front. One night a ton of us got on a bus, checked that it said Esplanade on the sign, and settled in. When it didn't turn onto Rampart, everyone started getting worried and the disgruntled. Apparently, the bus dispatcher told the bus driver and the people on the front 1/3 of the bus line that it was being changed to a Canal St. bus, but no-one informed the remaining 2/3 of the line. The bus driver felt bad because he thought everyone knew his route had been changed and was pissed on our behalf. So, 2/3 of the passengers were on the wrong bus and my group was faced with a much longer walk from Canal up to N. Rampart than anyone was up for after a long day of festing (vs. just crossing the street if we were on the Esplanade bus). My new rule: always check the route with the driver, regardless of what the sign on the front of the bus says.

[Bill/KC]

We were told that the bus we were getting on was the Canal bus, which would have gotten us closer to the hotel, As I was putting the last of the money in, I asked the driver "this is the Canal bus , right?". Nope, it was the Rampart bus. Oh well, it was a few more blocks walk, but still cheaper than the JF Express. Didn't realize until the last day, that the Zydeco Express buses were picking up on Canal. Next year......

[ETinCali]

My friend and I did the same thing this year we did last year....buy a JF Express ticket...ride the nice comfy bus there in the AM's and ride the city bus down Canal in the PM's for $1.25($1.50 second weekend when we needed a transfer to get to our friends house uptown)....we kept reusing that JF Express ticket each morning since they only collect it on the ride home....

[linza22]

man, is it only november? geesh!...ok....i'm staying in the 2600 block of Burgundy. this is what i'm thinkin'...i take the city bus (E-2) from the airport to tulane and loyola. then is it easy to grab a cab from here to get to the other side of the quarter (burgundy)? also, i've always taken the bus to jazzfest...do i still have walk to esplanade and rampart?

[swag]

man, is it only november? geesh!...ok....i'm staying in the 2600 block of Burgundy. this is what i'm thinkin'...i take the city bus (E-2) from the airport to tulane and loyola. then is it easy to grab a cab from here to get to the other side of the quarter (burgundy)? also, i've always taken the bus to jazzfest...do i still have walk to esplanade and rampart?

From the airport, you could do the E2 then a cab, but I wouldn't. The E2 is just $1.60, but the cab from downtown to your place is likely $10 with tip. If you are solo, you can take the shared ride Airport Shuttle for $13. The E2 is a 40 minute ride, plus up to a half hour wait, plus the cab ride time. The shuttle will take about 45 minutes total. I can't think that saving a dollar or two is worth the extra time and hassle.

From your place to Esplanade & Rampart (the closest stop on the fest routes) is about a 12 block walk.

[tangledupinblue]

From the airport, you could do the E2 then a cab, but I wouldn't. The E2 is just $1.60, but the cab from downtown to your place is likely $10 with tip. If you are solo, you can take the shared ride Airport Shuttle for $13. The E2 is a 40 minute ride, plus up to a half hour wait, plus the cab ride time. The shuttle will take about 45 minutes total. I can't think that saving a dollar or two is worth the extra time and hassle.

From your place to Esplanade & Rampart (the closest stop on the fest routes) is about a 12 block walk.

agreed! I will be buying the cab damn it! no worries!

[linza22]

agreed! I will be buying the cab damn it! no worries!

i was trying to use the bus for the sake of taking mass transportation. i usually take the shuttle...will the shuttle take me to my apartment..or does it only go to FQ?

[swag]

Double-checking their webiste, I'm not sure if the shuttle services the Marigny/Bywater area. You should call to verify.

http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com

[linza22]

Double-checking their webiste, I'm not sure if the shuttle services the Marigny/Bywater area. You should call to verify.

http://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com

thanks swag. i'm checking right now.

[joe2]

o hi o beauregard circle is where the famous civil war general beauregard's statue is located

[McGregor]

I'm sorry to make someone repeat what I'm positive has already been said but what the best public transportation from the FQ Holiday Inn to the Fairgrounds and how often do the buses run?

[swag]

Assuming NORTA runs the same service as last year:

Walk a half block from the HI FQ to Canal St.

Get on a #42 bus with the red & white "zydeco special / jazzfest" sign on the front. Pay $1.25 exact fare. Get off the bus when everyone else does.

http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html

[McGregor]

Thanks Swag.

One more, how often do the buses run?

[swag]

I'm thinking every 10 minutes or so?

[funkkjunkie]

We waited about 20 minutes at the bus stop on canal and rampart a couple years back and finally got in a cab when the cabbie pulled up to the bus stop and said $4 a person to the FG.

[festivalgirl]

Assuming NORTA runs the same service as last year:

Walk a half block from the HI FQ to Canal St.

Get on a #42 bus with the red & white "zydeco special / jazzfest" sign on the front. Pay $1.25 exact fare. Get off the bus when everyone else does.

http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html

We buy tokens so we don't have to remember exact change after Fest. The little market next to the HI sell tokens.

[festivalgirl]

Assuming NORTA runs the same service as last year:

Walk a half block from the HI FQ to Canal St.

Get on a #42 bus with the red & white "zydeco special / jazzfest" sign on the front. Pay $1.25 exact fare. Get off the bus when everyone else does.

http://jazzfest.swagland.com/transport.html

If you walk the few extra blocks to Rampart for the #91 it brings you closer to Liuzza's. ;)

[swag]

If you walk the few extra blocks to Rampart for the #91 it brings you closer to Liuzza's. ;)

By about 20 feet. The 42 drops off right across Esplanade, where the 91 picks up at the end of the day.

BTW, the fare is $1.25 exact, but they accept bills, overpayments, and paying for several folks together (they will take 4 singles as fare for 3 people).

[festivalgirl]

By about 20 feet. The 42 drops off right across Esplanade, where the 91 picks up at the end of the day.

Good to know. Thx.

[swag]

#42 Zydeco Special:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w47/jazzfestswag/Jazzfest07-0429-001.jpg

[hewboy22]

swag, you are just all about it! nice work.

i've taken the bus to the fest before but this year i'm pretty sure i'll be staying in the bywater so i was just looking a little deeper into the bus routes. threads like these always help the process :)

[Zbonnie]

We buy tokens so we don't have to remember exact change after Fest. The little market next to the HI sell tokens.
Cool idea, I never even knew there were tokens for the buses. Thanks.

[stlbarb]

To follow up, in case anyone reads this thread next year, I took the Canal bus a couple of times. #42, with the Zydeco Specail sign on the front. It starts way down at the River, ran up Canal, right at Carrollton, right at Esplanade, and dropped across the street from the Circle K. Picks up after Fest at the same spot (which is also where the #91 Esplanade bus does), runs Esplanade to Broad to Canal to the River. Very convenient to all the Canal St mega-hotels, and the ones on lower Poydras as well.
Zydeco Special seems to run a different round than the regular #42. the non-fest bus sticks to Canal. http://www.norta.com/routes/route.php?route=42&days=sa&currentpick=
just in case both are running - make sure you get the one with the sign on the front. its a pretty good walk from canal to the festival.

now that the Canal Street Cars are operating again, you have that option. a little further to walk than the bus, but what a lovely way to travel. http://www.norta.com/routes/route.php?route=47-48&days=sa&currentpick=

i'd just plan on following Swag's lead.

[duende]

did anyone try to ride the #91 Esplanade bus out to the Fest last year? In 2006 the service out to the fairgrounds was spotty, at best, but the return trip back to Rampart was usually a breeze with plenty of buses.

To be honest, the walk to St. Claude & Esplanade'll be about the same as the walk to Esplanade & Riverfront - the streetcar will be a longer ride, but it may actually run in that direction!

[sharon_loves_fats]

[QUOTE=duende;143077]did anyone try to ride the #91 Esplanade bus out to the Fest last year? In 2006 the service out to the fairgrounds was spotty, at best, but the return trip back to Rampart was usually a breeze with plenty of buses. QUOTE]

Last year I caught the #91 at Jackson/St. Charles and it worked like a charm. Got me to Fest a little earlier than need be, but nothin' wrong with that!

[rosetree]

[QUOTE=duende;143077]did anyone try to ride the #91 Esplanade bus out to the Fest last year? In 2006 the service out to the fairgrounds was spotty, at best, but the return trip back to Rampart was usually a breeze with plenty of buses. QUOTE]

Last year I caught the #91 at Jackson/St. Charles and it worked like a charm. Got me to Fest a little earlier than need be, but nothin' wrong with that!

That just gives you more time at Liuzza's!

[sharon_loves_fats]

[QUOTE=sharon_loves_fats;150232]

That just gives you more time at Liuzza's!

Wish I had known about Liuzza's last year! I'll be smarter this year :)

[rosetree]

[QUOTE=rosetree;150367]

Wish I had known about Liuzza's last year! I'll be smarter this year :)

That's why we're here...sharing info for a better tomorrow!;)

[sharon_loves_fats]

[QUOTE=rosetree;150385

That's why we're here...sharing info for a better tomorrow!;)[/QUOTE]

So much great info on this bored. So I gather Liuzza's serves a stellar bloody mary? Those do make a good start to the day!

[rosetree]

So much great info on this bored. So I gather Liuzza's serves a stellar bloody mary? Those do make a good start to the day!

You gather correctly from what I hear...

[duende]

mmmm.... Bloody Mary! now if I could just carry-in the drink to wash down the crawfish bread, THAT'd set me up right in the a.m. I'm down for one try on the Esplanade bus, but I'll go with Plan B for the other 6 days if the service is sketchy.

In '06 we must've waited 45 minutes for the bus at Esplanade & St. Claude (with a line of other unfortunates, I must add) when a Marigny resident pulled-up in her station wagon and offered several of us a ride to the fest - she wasn't going to the fairgrounds, she just couldn't stand seeing us languishing there! She and my wife had plenty to talk about, the woman owned a fine art framing shop that was buried in restoration work after the Thing. And did I add that she thanked us for returning... I'm getting all verklempt, here.

[stlbarb]

mmmm.... Bloody Mary! now if I could just carry-in the drink to wash down the crawfish bread, THAT'd set me up right in the a.m. I'm down for one try on the Esplanade bus, but I'll go with Plan B for the other 6 days if the service is sketchy.

In '06 we must've waited 45 minutes for the bus at Esplanade & St. Claude (with a line of other unfortunates, I must add) when a Marigny resident pulled-up in her station wagon and offered several of us a ride to the fest - she wasn't going to the fairgrounds, she just couldn't stand seeing us languishing there! She and my wife had plenty to talk about, the woman owned a fine art framing shop that was buried in restoration work after the Thing. And did I add that she thanked us for returning... I'm getting all verklempt, here.

long ago, the old (original) grandstands had bloody mary's. way back in the corner, a little bar. :(

[swag]

mmmm.... Bloody Mary! now if I could just carry-in the drink to wash down the crawfish bread, THAT'd set me up right in the a.m. I'm down for one try on the Esplanade bus, but I'll go with Plan B for the other 6 days if the service is sketchy.

In '06 we must've waited 45 minutes for the bus at Esplanade & St. Claude (with a line of other unfortunates, I must add) when a Marigny resident pulled-up in her station wagon and offered several of us a ride to the fest - she wasn't going to the fairgrounds, she just couldn't stand seeing us languishing there! She and my wife had plenty to talk about, the woman owned a fine art framing shop that was buried in restoration work after the Thing. And did I add that she thanked us for returning... I'm getting all verklempt, here.

The buses are pretty frequent, but by the time they get to Edplanade, they are often full already and the drivers just pass you by. If you board the bus on Rampart, at or closer to Canal St, that's less of a concern.

[festivalgirl]

We always take the #91. Have never gotten on past St. Ann so the buses aren't too full yet. We'd get to Rampart btween 9:45 - 10:00 - plenty of Liuzza's time!

This might be the 1st time we take the Zydeco Special. Do they run more buses than on the regular schedule? How long doe it take? Need those Bloody Mary's!!

[swag]

Yes, they run a lot more. The #91 runs only every half hour or so weekdays, hourly on weekends, if memory serves (check NORTA.com for details). The Zydeco Specials run every 5-10 minutes, but only on the Rampart & Esplanade part of the #91 route (not the Garden District / CBD).

[festivalgirl]

Yes, they run a lot more. The #91 runs only every half hour or so weekdays, hourly on weekends, if memory serves (check NORTA.com for details). The Zydeco Specials run every 5-10 minutes, but only on the Rampart & Esplanade part of the #91 route (not the Garden District / CBD).

okay, i'm being a dork here. from the hi in the morning is it better to walk to canal or rampart? obviously canal is closer but is it a longer wait?

[swag]

Canal is closer, about a half block. Rampart is about 5 or 6 blocks. Canal buses should be frequent, but if you're in a hurry (or just overcome with excitement), walk to Canal. If no bus in sight, start walking up Canal looking over your shoulder for a bus to approach from behind you. If you see one, run to the closest stop. If not, when you get to the corner of Rampart & Canal, you now have double the chances. :)

[Zydemo]

Early can be good - getting that first, bloody mary at Liuzza's is a good way to pass the time - get things started right!

[festivalgirl]

Early can be good - getting that first, bloody mary at Liuzza's is a good way to pass the time - get things started right!

It's a requirement!!

[festivalgirl]

Canal is closer, about a half block. Rampart is about 5 or 6 blocks. Canal buses should be frequent, but if you're in a hurry (or just overcome with excitement), walk to Canal. If no bus in sight, start walking up Canal looking over your shoulder for a bus to approach from behind you. If you see one, run to the closest stop. If not, when you get to the corner of Rampart & Canal, you now have double the chances. :)

NYC or Zen method :) .... keep moving in the right direction - the bus will find you!

thx.

[Carnuel Tiger]

Is there an easy way to get from Mandeville to the JF, short of a cab ride???

[Gordon OHara]

I recall there used to be a Park and Ride lot north of New Orleans proper-- approximately in Slidell or further south where you parked and there were express buses directly to the festival. Is this still running? I don't see a mention of it on the NORTA or Jazz Fest Websites.

Thanks for any help you might give.

Gordon (Austin, Texas)

[mdfest]

From the airport, you could do the E2 then a cab, but I wouldn't. The E2 is just $1.60, but the cab from downtown to your place is likely $10 with tip. If you are solo, you can take the shared ride Airport Shuttle for $13. The E2 is a 40 minute ride, plus up to a half hour wait, plus the cab ride time. The shuttle will take about 45 minutes total. I can't think that saving a dollar or two is worth the extra time and hassle.

From your place to Esplanade & Rampart (the closest stop on the fest routes) is about a 12 block walk.

Ill put out a vote for the E2. I download the schedule before arriving, so we know how quick or slow we need to be out of the airport. Its not much slower than a cab. For 2, round trip costs about $6 vs about $60 for cabs. Thats a few big ass beers.

When we stayed at the foot of Frenchman, we caught the riverfront streetcar there. Was a nice way to get to the hotel.

The only issue we ever had- the year after K, it wansnt running all the way to Tulane. It dropped us off in Mid City. Wasnt very pleasant- if I didnt have the cab company # in my phone, we would have been in trouble.

[Festnfreida]

Canal is closer, about a half block. Rampart is about 5 or 6 blocks. Canal buses should be frequent, but if you're in a hurry (or just overcome with excitement), walk to Canal. If no bus in sight, start walking up Canal looking over your shoulder for a bus to approach from behind you. If you see one, run to the closest stop. If not, when you get to the corner of Rampart & Canal, you now have double the chances. :)

No need to answer this until you get home. Know you're having a lovely time at FQF. But the last time I was in NOLA, the Street Cars had taken the place of the Canal St busses entirely. I assume from what I've read here that busses are now running on Canal as well as the Street Cars...something I know has made the locals very happy. My question is: Are the bus stops on Canal also on the neutral ground or on the curb-side of the street? Sorry but it's been too long for me to remember where they were before.

Just another dumb-a$$ first-cup-a-coffee question.:)

[swag]

It's being disucssed in the other forum, but I wanted to update for 2008 for anyone who finds this sticky thread first.

The bus routes for 2008 are the same as last year. But the fare has increased to $5 each way.

They have also added a bus from the park & ride at I-610 & Elysian Fields, direct to the fest (every fest day except Thursday). That fare is also $5 each way.

[KYfunkfan]

anybody know if the zydeco park and ride at I-610 and Elysian is a free parking lot?

[Dancing Don]

This is all great info. thanks to all

[saturn]

It's being disucssed in the other forum, but I wanted to update for 2008 for anyone who finds this sticky thread first.

The bus routes for 2008 are the same as last year. But the fare has increased to $5 each way.

They have also added a bus from the park & ride at I-610 & Elysian Fields, direct to the fest (every fest day except Thursday). That fare is also $5 each way.

Last year they accepted our bus pass. Will they do that again, I wonder?

[swag]

Last year they accepted our bus pass. Will they do that again, I wonder?

I doubt even RTA knows that yet. I'd suggest waiting until mid-April, then calling them to ask.

[duende]

We used the Visitour passes last year and had a couple of instances where the $5 fare came up. I'll have to thank the curmudgeon Marigny resident who squared-off with the bus driver on the Esplanade "express" headed from Rampart out to the Fairgrounds for standing up for himself, and us by association. The drivers on the way home were much more relaxed about it, and the pass worked like a charm... but who knows this year. Get the VT pass and hope for the best?

To be fair, there are standard route buses mixed with the express lines and, other than stopping at all requested stops, the arrival time was about the same. The smile-worthy part of all of this was that the drivers of the so-called express lines still stopped to pick up stranded locals at the regular line stops who where just trying to get to work - something that we didn't mind in the slightest.

btw, sitting "stranded" at the Rampart & Esplanade stop was how we met PapaFrog last year, he being kind enough to offer us a ride and us getting the bonus of meeting a TH in person!

[Gards]

We used the Visitour passes last year and had a couple of instances where the $5 fare came up. I'll have to thank the curmudgeon Marigny resident who squared-off with the bus driver on the Esplanade "express" headed from Rampart out to the Fairgrounds for standing up for himself, and us by association. The drivers on the way home were much more relaxed about it, and the pass worked like a charm... but who knows this year. Get the VT pass and hope for the best?

To be fair, there are standard route buses mixed with the express lines and, other than stopping at all requested stops, the arrival time was about the same. The smile-worthy part of all of this was that the drivers of the so-called express lines still stopped to pick up stranded locals at the regular line stops who where just trying to get to work - something that we didn't mind in the slightest.

btw, sitting "stranded" at the Rampart & Esplanade stop was how we met PapaFrog last year, he being kind enough to offer us a ride and us getting the bonus of meeting a TH in person!

I used the visitour pass everyday and night last year on the special bus and both types of tram and had no dramas thankfully.
Gards

[swag]

Some good news, buried in an unrelated thread...

But we got goomfed when we learned that the RTA was charging $5 for the "Zydeco Express" bus on the [#91] route, not the usual $1.25 that the tokens were worth. This year, I called the RTA and learned that they're no longer doing the $5 Zydeco Express. It'll be the same regular $1.25 fare. Whether or not we'll have time to buy a bunch of tokens before the conference remains to be seen!

[sharon_loves_fats]

Sweet, that'll save me a nice chunk of change.

[funkkjunkie]

If you plan on using the buses and streetcars quite a bit, you can get a visitour pass for $5 for one day or $12 for 3 days.

[festivalgirl]

If you plan on using the buses and streetcars quite a bit, you can get a visitour pass for $5 for one day or $12 for 3 days.

We also buy tokens - no savings but really, really convenient not having to worry about exact change especially after Fest!!

[dewey]

We also buy tokens - no savings but really, really convenient not having to worry about exact change especially after Fest!!


Where do you get the tokens ?