Friends of the Ferry

Mission Statement

To support, protect and enhance the continued operation of the three ferries in the Greater New Orleans Area in order to facilitate public transportation for the Communities, Businesses and Tourists they serve. Vision

To not just maintain Greater New Orleans’ river traffic but to plan, visualize and execute water borne transportation up and down the Mississippi River on a regul

ar and predictable schedule. Objective

To promote Greater New Orleans’ ferries as a reliable form of transportation for tourists and commuters alike, in full support of the Mission Statement of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development: To deliver transportation and public works systems that enhances quality of life and facilitates economic growth and recovery. Our Journey

Friends of the Ferry was organized in May of 2006 when, post Hurricane Katrian, the Crescent City Connection Division of the LA DOTD decided not to return the midnight hours to the Canal Street ferry. With the ferry only running until 8:45 p.m, only one shift out of three was able to get to and from work in the hospitality industry. It took us a year to get the midnight ferry hours returned. It took another year to replace the managment that made that decision. (No mean feat given they had been there for two decades.) In December 2012, the bridge tolls on the Crescent City Connection Bridge expired and with them the dedicated funding source for the ferries. Our local public officials, most notably, Senator David Heitmeier, Council-at-large Jackie Clarkson and Councilwoman for District C, Kristin Palmer fought for the ferries. The ferries are now financed through a state subsidy as well as passenger fares and operated by the RTA through their contractor, Transdev.