February 28, 2025

On February 27, 2025, Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana approved a consent decree requiring the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to make the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line fully wheelchair accessible.

Kristen had the privilege of litigating this case alongside co-counsel, Chris Edmunds—Oscar’s father. Oscar and his parents filed suit in July 2023 after encountering significant barriers while trying to use the historic streetcar line. Although RTA had previously introduced a few accessible cars and made limited stop renovations, those efforts were not enough. Oscar and his family often waited over an hour for an accessible car, only to be told by drivers that lifts couldn’t be deployed because the stop wasn’t officially ADA-compliant.

We obtained a preliminary injunction early in the case. Now, after a year and a half of litigation, the RTA has agreed to a series of systemic changes that will gradually bring the line into full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The consent decree includes:

• Increased Accessible Service: Although RTA had four accessible streetcars, only one or two were typically in use. Under the consent decree, at least three must now run at all times—tripling the number of accessible cars simply through better scheduling.

• Fleet Expansion: The RTA will add three more accessible cars to the line within 15 months. These cars were already in storage and only needed minor repairs. Once operational, every other streetcar on the line will be accessible.

• Long-Term Planning: By November 2026, the RTA must adopt a plan to transition to a fully accessible fleet. If the parties cannot agree on a timeline, the Court will impose one.

• Stop Renovations: More than 60 stops will be upgraded to ADA standards, using a $5.3 million federal grant the RTA received after the lawsuit was filed. Improvements will include smoother boarding areas, tactile surfaces, safety bollards, and more.

• Real-Time Accessibility Information: The RTA’s app, Le Pass, now allows riders to track which approaching cars are wheelchair accessible—information that was previously unavailable.

• Permanent Injunction: The Court has permanently enjoined RTA from preventing boarding at non-renovated stops, ensuring that Oscar and other wheelchair users can get on and off the line more freely.

The Court will oversee implementation of the decree through quarterly compliance reports.

This was a meaningful case to work on, and I’m incredibly proud of the outcome we achieved. As I said following the decree’s approval:
“This victory isn't just for Oscar and his family — it’s a win for the entire City of New Orleans. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar is more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a symbol of the city itself. Soon, residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy one of New Orleans’s most iconic traditions without barriers.”

Read the full Consent Decree.