Promo video for United Cabs
Unless you're near a cab stand, you're often better
off calling for service rather than trying to flag a cab on the
street during a busy time like Mardi Gras.
TAXIS & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Getting around during Mardi Gras in New Orleans
When it comes to taxi cabs, New Orleans isn’t like Manhattan. You can’t just walk out onto most any street corner and expect to flag a cab. Sure, you can get lucky. And there are taxi stands at major hotels and Harrah’s Casino. But unless you’re in the vicinity of the French Quarter, you’re often better off calling a cab. In New Orleans, bartenders are accustomed to calling cabs for customers.
United Cabs of New Orleans serves the metro area with a fleet of over 400 cabs. Phone 504-522-9771 or 504-524-9606. Write down these numbers and keep them handy.
United accepts major credit cards but not debit cards. When calling for service, let the operator know what type of card you will be using.
Need food picked up from a restaurant? United will pay for and pick up an order from any restaurant offering take-out service, and collect upon delivery. Call ahead for service. Likewise, United will pick up and deliver medical prescription and even a short list of groceries.
Be sure to let United know you learned about them on Mardi Gras Unmasked.
NEW ORLEANS BUSES & STREETCARS
For schedules and maps of the public transportation system, visit the New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority online. The regular fare for buses and streetcars is $1.25, with transfers available upon boarding for an additional 25 cents. Transfers are valid for two hours for connecting streetcar and bus lines, not return trips. Citywide one-day and three-day unlimited ride passes, known as VisiTour Passes, are available for $5 and $12, respectively. For a list of vendors selling VisiTour Passes, click here.
In addition to bus service, there are three streetcar routes in New Orleans — St. Charles, Canal and Riverfront. The historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line operates along a 13.6-mile route that takes about 40 minutes to ride from end to end. Outbound/Uptown service begins at the intersection of Canal Street and Carondelet Street — Carondelet being the Uptown continuation of Bourbon Street. Inbound/Downtown service originates at the intersection of South Carrollton Avenue and South Claiborne Avenue. The last outbound streetcar leaves Canal Street at 2 a.m., with service resuming again at 4:15 a.m. The last inbound streetcar leaves from South Claiborne at 2:32 a.m., with service resuming at 4:55 a.m.
Ribbon cutting for the Phunny Phorty Phellows
streetcar ride on Twelfth Night
The historic St. Charles Ave. streetcar line goes out
of service approximately two hours before parades start rolling on
the Uptown route
During Mardi Gras, service on the St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines shuts down to accommodate parades. When parades are rolling on the Uptown route, St. Charles service typically stops approximately two hours before the start of the first scheduled parade. Streetcars on the Canal line go out of service approximately an hour and a half after the start of the first scheduled parade on the Uptown route.
On Fat Tuesday, while streetcars do run along the Riverbend section of the St. Charles line between South Claiborne and Napoleon Avenues, there is no service between Napoleon and Carondelet. There is no service on the Canal line on Fat Tuesday. There is, however, regular service on the Riverfront line.
During the height of the Carnival parade season, bus service is often the most convenient and reliable way to commute between Uptown and Downtown — specifically, the Magazine Street (#11) and Tchoupitoulas Street (#10) buses. Although the Claiborne Avenue (#16) bus also runs between Uptown and Downtown, routes are subject to change when parades are rolling.
If you’re near the Mississippi, the Riverfront streetcar is a good way to commute to and from the Central Business District and Warehouse District, upriver from Canal Street, to the French Market at Esplanade Avenue, with stops in between along the French Quarter section of the riverfront. Service begins at 7:10 a.m. at Esplanade Avenue (8:24 a.m. on weekends), with the last train departing at 9:58 p.m. The other end of the line is at Thalia Street, where the first train leaves at 7:27 a.m. (8:41 a.m. on weekends) and last train at 10:15 p.m.
The Canal Street streetcar also can be boarded at the French Market/Esplanade Avenue stop on the Riverfront line. It proceeds to Canal Street, then heads up Canal heading away from the river toward North Carrollton Avenue. Route #47 trains on the Canal line run past North Carrollton all the way to City Park Avenue and the Canal Street cemeteries. Route #48 trains turn off Canal onto North Carrollton and reach the end of the line at the nexus of Esplanade Avenue, City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. For Canal Street streetcar route and schedule info, click here.
|