NOLA DUers--urgently need to know if RTA buses ran to the Dome

[markus]

John Breaux told my local rising-start rwr host they did not. I have some reports they did, and can find no mention anywhere in the TPSI archives or WWLTV's Katrina blog mentioning they didn't run to the shelters.

I can easily debunk the "should have used them to evacuate" story. I just heard from my ex, who was once the RTA director's right hand person about 20 years ago.

She thinks the RTA total non-rail fleet is perhaps 400 buses. They seat about 60 people. That 24,000 of the Census Bureau's 115,000 people with out cars.

NOLA's school bus fleet is not that large for a city that size, because so many ride RTA, and to get access to them Nagin would have had to go through (long pause) FEMA.

So, out of 115,000 which 24,000 would you chose? The ones strong enough to get to the marshaling points and force their way on? This would have been a recipe for panic and mayhem.

On edit, I'm trying to research three different soures via dialup. Email copies of replies to this thread to [e-mail] appreciated.

Thanx.

I hope to post on the bus issue ASAP and try to shut down this justificaiton of the bus meme (which I've traced back to the National Journal via google news), but need some information from the ground.

[Spazito]

1. Yes, they did, I heard the Mayor on the local station via streaming

and the buses were sent out to designated pick-up sites to take those who were there to the Dome. He explained it very well.

[krkaufman]

2. It's my *understanding* that NOLA public bus services stopped on SATURDAY

Don't have a link, though. Just something I heard/read in the past N days.

[markus]

8. Not true. Bus service in hurricanes continues until a curfew is called

or tropical force winds. Been that way since I was a kid (60s).

Buses ran until curfew was called, I believe Sunday night.

What I need to know was: were they still transporting folks to the Superdome.

[krkaufman]

10. Ok. T'was misinformed.

Do you have a link for the "buses ran until Sunday night" info? My understanding was also based on hearing that the buses had stopped because the bus drivers were getting out-of-town -- which you'd expect, I'd think.

[cynatnite]

3. Here you go

Mayor Nagin issues mandatory evacuation for New Orleans

As of 9:30 a.m., Mayor Nagin has issued a mandatory evacuation for New Orleans.

The Superdome has been opened for people with special needs and as a shelter of last resort. Residents should call [phone] to reserve space in this shelter.

The city has set up ten pickup areas to take people to emergency shelters. RTA buses will be picking up citizens for free and take them to these shelters. The number to call for pickup areas is 1-800-469-4828.

The pickup locations are

McMain High: 5712 S Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA 70125

Rabouin High:727 Carondelet St New Orleans, LA 70130

Mondy George O Elementary: 2327 Philip St New Orleans, LA 70113

O.P. Walker: 2832 General Meyer Ave New Orleans, LA 70114

Abramson: 5552 Read Blvd New Orleans, LA 70127

S.T. Reed : 5316 Michoud Blvd New Orleans, LA 70129

Sylvain Williams: 3127 Martin L. King Blvd. New Orleans, LA. 70125

Augustine Middle:425 S. Broad St. New Orleans, LA. 70119

Warren Easton: 3039 Higgins Blvd. New Orleans, LA. 70126

MLK Jr. Elementary: 1617 Caffin Avenue New Orleans, LA 70117

N.O. Mission, address not available at time of publish.

Mondy Center, address not available at time of publish.

William Franz , address not available at time of publish.

Residents are asked to bring food for 3-5 days, pillows, blankets, and any other supplies needed.

http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08.html

[markus]

5. I have the NOLA.com info.

There's nothing further on NOLA.com or WWLTV.com Katrina blog to suggest they didn't run.

They can only run once if used for evacuation due to contra-flow. All roads are one-way out of town.

There are seats for 24,000 fleet for 115,000 carless residents (figure from Census bureau).

Who would they have left behind?

This is the main anti-Nagin meme right now. Be sure to ask them.

[Spazito]

12. The buses being discussed, I believe, are the ones that

were sent out to designated stops to pick up people to take them to the dome not buses used to evacuate people out of NO. This was to bring those who didn't or couldn't get out to the Dome as the 'last resort shelter. The buses could make multiple runs from designated pick-up points to the Dome.

[markus]

14. Correct

and our good friend John Breaux (well, he used to be OK with me, but he use to sign my paychckes) told a local rwr host (and rising light in that world) the buses didn't run..

I call BS but need some more backup from people on the ground.

Thanx

[Psephos]

4. The buses could have made multiple trips each to Baton Rouge

Why do you think they could only have been used once?

Even with just 24 hours head start, it's hard to see how they couldn't have been used for three or four round trips...probably more. Baton Rouge round trip is about three hours in a bus.

Peace.

[KeepItReal]

6. Even with all the lanes on I-10 going one way, it still took hours

...to get to Baton Rouge.

The interstates didn't begin to clear until late Sunday.

FYI.

[Psephos]

11. Good point. Still, it's sad to see all those buses floating there unused.

[markus]

7. No, they could not

It's called contra-flow, and once it's in place all roads are one way, out only. And the traffic was crawling by Sunday shortly after dawn.

Oh, yeah, head could have had FEMA use heavly lift flying pigs to transport them back for round trips. (sorry practiging for am radio calls tomorrow).

[Horse with no Name]

9. The buses ran up until 6 pm on Sunday

shuttling people to the shelters.
There was a number they could call if they needed a ride.
Can find you the link after we get search function up.

[markus]

13. Thanks sir.

I think search is up. I'll try again