N.O. Sense

In most cities, towns, and villages throughout the U.S., public transportation is encouraged. With the growing concern over global warming and focus on green initiatives, this is a great thing, and it gives areas more opportunities to public works systems to make money during local festivals.

Well, in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is the biggest thing since sliced French bread, and in order for the parades to safely march down the famous St. Charles Avenue, the streetcars have to stop rolling down the median (a.k.a. in local lingo, the "neutral ground"). That makes sense; sure. I mean, you can't have hundred year-old trolleys running people down. That would never do for tourism.

So with this form of public transportation obviously impossible, you would think that the NORTA (the transportation authority) would have a contingency plan, up their available buslines, post their holiday schedules, or something along those lines. After all, with thousands upon thousands of people converging in one general direction to one pretty narrow band of the city, a good deal of money can be made by the RTA, and they'd be doing a good thing for the environment, too, by offering the option of busses. We all know that taxis are impossible to get during this time, and parking is a hellish experience, one that can cost you an entire parade's worth of throws if you happen to get stuck behind anyone that can't parallel park effectively or press your luck trying to find a spot closer to the center of the action. The entire Garden District and downtown area is effectively congested to the point that getting anywhere powered by anything other than your own two feet is not even an idea worth entertaining.

Apparently, the conclusions I've drawn about what Mardi Gras could mean in terms of smart city management and business are beyond the powers that be. I called the NORTA last week to find out about their bus schedule for the next two weeks, so that me and my group would have an idea of where to go and how to get there. Even though the parades started *last week*, they didn't have a holiday schedule up yet, and I was advised to check back Friday, February 13. Today.

Okay, fine.

Remembering this, I check the RTA's web site for an update. Except there isn't one. All there is is a note saying that the streetcars would not be running (welll, duh) and would be brought back to their main stations at 5:30. Cool. Somewhat useful, although not really.

Since there's no information on the site, I call the NORTA, and speak to a lady who tells me that -- get this! -- they cannot release the Mardi Gras bus information to the public.

Umm ... wtf?! Is it just me, or does that seem to defeat the entire purpose of, uh, "public transportation?"

My mind, at this point, is completely boggled. I tell her nicely that I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no way they can't release the bus schedule. Aside from Fat Tuesday, people still work, and there are many, three in my office alone, that rely on the New Orleans buses to get them from A to B.

Her amended response? "I guess people have to call in. We don't have a schedule we can give out, but we can tell people if the bus they need is still running."

Again ... what?!

That, to me, is the mark of inefficiency. What the heck is the point of keeping a public route and schedule for the public private? Does New Orleans want everyone to battle it out for parking for the parades and take their own cars instead of putting money back into the city system?

N.O. sense ... an oxymoron one way, and a true statement the other. Go figure, because my brain hurts right now.