Wednesdays on the Point concert series to be served by extended ferry hours
The state Department of Transportation and Development on Wednesday announced new operating hours for the Algiers/Canal Street ferry, which will take effect Monday. The ferry will be run for fewer hours, based on the limited money appropriated by the Legislature, according to the transportation department.
The transportation department announced last week that beginning Monday (July 1) the Algiers/Canal Street ferry will carry pedestrians only, using a smaller ferry to reduce operational costs. About 1.1 million pedestrians ride the ferry each year, while 175,000 vehicles use it annually, according to the transportation department.
On Mondays through Thursdays, the ferry will be operated from 7:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. The final ferry leaves Algiers Point at 6:15 p.m., and the final ferry from Canal Street departs at 6:30 p.m.
On Fridays, the ferry will be operated from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. The final trip from Algiers Point will be at 7:45 p.m., and from Canal Street at 8 p.m.
On Saturdays, the ferry will be operated from 10:45 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. The final trip from Algiers Point will be 7:45 p.m., and from Canal Street at 8 p.m.
On Sundays, the ferry will be operated from 10:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., with the last ferry leaving Algiers Point at 5:45 p.m., and from Canal Street at 6 p.m.
On the Fourth of July, which is Thursday, the ferry will run from 7:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., with the final boat leaving Algiers Point at 9:45 p.m., and the final boat leaving Canal Street at 10 p.m. The same schedule will be in effect for the weekly summer concert series, Wednesdays on the Point, which goes through the end of July.
The Algiers/Chalmette ferry will continue operating at normal hours, beginning at 6 a.m., according to the transportation department. The last ferry of the day leaves Algiers at 8:30 p.m., and from Chalmette at 8:45 p.m.
The Gretna/Canal Street ferry, which has been out of service since April because of staffing shortages, ceases permanently on Sunday.
The Edgard/Reserve ferry ceases operation on Friday.
Also on Sunday, the transportation department will stop selling tickets for ferries statewide, including the Algiers and Chalmette lines. In a statement, assistant transportation secretary Rhett Desselle said ticket production and handling costs exceed the revenue they generate. Tickets purchased before Sunday (June 30) will be honored through the end of the year.