New Orleans Accessible Transportation

New Orleans Accessible Transportation

Posted on by Chillie Falls

Written by New Orleans and Company, June 2025

Accessible Transportation

Getting around New Orleans by wheelchair 

You’ll find New Orleans is pretty easy to navigate by walker, wheelchair or scooter. Whether you’re traveling by bus, streetcar, cab, or even taking a self-guided tour, there are plenty of ways to get from A to B.

Buses

The New Orleans Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has incorporated necessary features and equipment on all buses to allow persons with limited mobility to travel comfortably.

RTA Bus features include:

  • The capability for riders to “kneel,” or tilt closer to the curb
  • Ramps that fold out to make a bridge between the bus and the curb
  • Areas where wheelchairs can be secured
  • Priority seating areas
  • Automatic announcements for bus stops and permission to bring service animals on board for visually impaired passengers
St. Claude Avenue Streetcar
St. Claude Avenue Streetcar

Streetcars

The streetcar experience is also feasible for travelers with wheelchairs. The red streetcars that travel on the Canal Street, Riverfront and Rampart-St. Claude lines are accessible. (Unfortunately, the green streetcars on the St. Charles Avenue line are National Historic Landmarks and were not equipped for persons requiring mobility devices.)

Red streetcar features include:

  • Lifts that elevate riders and allow them to board
  • Areas where wheelchairs can be secured
  • Priority seating areas

If you have a mobility limitation that prevents you from riding the standard bus or streetcar transportation system, you may qualify for paratransit rides. A bus or minivan will pick you up and drop you off at just about any location in New Orleans. Click here for more information on how to apply for the RTA paratransit system and click here for more information on riding the bus or streetcar with a mobility device.

Cabs

Cabs in New Orleans are affordable and easy to find, especially Downtown and in the French Quarter. Most standard cabs in the city have plenty of room for storing wheelchairs and significantly more wheelchair accessible cabs are being introduced to the city. Click here for a list of cab companies with wheelchair accessible options like ramps and lifts.

Accessible Placards for Rental Cars

If you choose to rent a car, you can apply for a Accessible placard by calling 504-483-4610.

RTA Bus
RTA Bus

Airport Shuttles

2023 Update: Please note, as of February 2023, the airport shuttle will no longer be contracting individual rides.

Group coordinators and convention planners can contract with the Airport Shuttle directly to charter the service for their attendees. For more information, visit their website here.

For getting to and from the airport, you can reserve a wheelchair accessible Airport Shuttle by calling 504-522-3500 or reserving a vehicle online at www.airportshuttleneworleans.com. Reserving transportation is recommended but if you are in need of wheelchair accessible service after your arrival, you can call toll free number 866-596-2699.

Tour buses

Most tour companies including the popular red Hop-on-Hop-Off sightseeing buses have some accessible buses. Just call ahead for more information.

Reserve Accessible Transportation

Address: 4480 General De Gaulle Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131

Bookings/reservations can be made through their website. They provide links for both regular transportation needs & airport transportation needs. Accessible is available as well.

Address: 3 Westbank Expy B, New Orleans, LA 70114

Reservations can be made through their website under the reservations tab. They offer many services such as: airport, wedding, wheelchair lift van, corporate, and private services.

  • Exquisite Medical Transportation | 985-228-1285

Address: 3327 Pontchartrain Dr suite 101, Slidell, LA 70458 

Bookings/reservations can be made by calling the number and choosing #1 as the option for dispatch.

A Word About Our City Streets

The good thing about New Orleans is that most of our attractions are in close proximity. The not-so-good thing is that roots from ancient Live Oak roots have caused some curbs and sidewalks in the city to become a tad bumpy and uneven.