FEMA Expands La Swift Free Bus Service
Release Date: February 14, 2006
Release Number: 1603-346
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Having served more than 40,000 passengers, the LA Swift bus system is expanding its service, adding more departure times and stops. The free bus system that travels from Baton Rouge to New Orleans is sponsored and funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With 19 weekday trips from both Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the service is being greatly expanded to enable displaced workers in New Orleans to travel to the city for work. The system has also expanded its weekend schedule to provide 12 trips in each direction.
In addition to the increase in the number of buses, LA Swift has added stops to many of its trips. Most LA Swift buses departing from the Capitol Area Transit System (CATS) terminal at 22nd St. and Florida Boulevard in Baton Rouge will make three stops before terminating at Elk Place and Canal Street in New Orleans. The new stops are:
Baton Rouge
Home Depot Parking Lot
18139 Highland Rd.
Sorrento
Chevron Sorrento
7140 Hwy. 22
LaPlace
Texaco and Huddle House Restaurant
4325 Hwy. 51
Most buses departing from New Orleans will also make these stops.
"The LA Swift program has been hugely successful thus far, serving more than 40,000 riders," said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells. "By expanding the service we will help even more Louisianians get back on their feet."
On weekdays, the first bus under the expanded schedule departs Baton Rouge at 4:30 a.m., and the final bus departs Baton Rouge at 6:00 p.m. The first bus leaving New Orleans departs at 6:00 a.m. and the last at 6:30 p.m. On weekends, the first bus departs Baton Rouge at 4:30 a.m., and the last at 6:00 p.m., while the first bus departs New Orleans at 6:55 a.m. and the last at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, including a full schedule, call the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development at (225) 379-1232 or 1-(877) 4LA-DOTD (1-877-452-3683) or visit the website, www.laswift.com.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Feb-2006 09:08:45