MAYOR CANTRELL ISSUES WARNING TO PARTY BUS OPERATORS: "STRONGER ENFORCEMENT IS COMING" NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell reminds residents who operate as charter party carriers (or "party bus operators") to be mindful of the rules, regulations and laws on the books as the City remains vigilant regarding enforcement.

"We are ramping up enforcement in all areas. Now is the time to make sure you are in compliance. This is a public safety issue and public safety is a top priority," said Mayor Cantrell.

Click here to read this overview of related city and state laws concerning the use of party bus operation. Click here to read this overview of standards and requirements for charter party carriers, from the City's Department of Safety & Permits.

Similarly, residents are encouraged to remember their options when considering the rental of a party bus. For example, here are some important questions to ask: Does your party bus have a Certificate of Public Necessity (or CPNC) issued by the City of New Orleans? If so, you can verify this number by searching the CPNC number on onestopapp.nola.gov. This number means that the operator is properly insured and the vehicle is appropriately registered.

Are your party bus drivers licensed by the City of New Orleans? If so, you can verify by searching the driver’s name or permit number on onestopapp.nola.gov. This means the driver has the appropriate type of license to operate a large commercial vehicle, has a clean driving record, has passed a background check and drug test, and completed defensive driving training.

Is your bus a retro-fitted school bus or trailer? If so, this is a red flag. Retro-fitted school buses and trailers are rarely appropriately registered or insured to transport passengers.

Is your bus a limo-bus or charter bus? If so, the vehicle is more likely to be safe, insured, and registered. However, you should still request proof, such as a CPNC number.

For inquiries to verify if a bus rental company is registered with the Department of Safety and Permits, you can contact the Ground Transportation Bureau via email at gtb@nola.gov or visit https://www.nola.gov/ground-transportation-bureau. Conditions of non-compliance you can observe: No license plate Not having a license plate typically means that the vehicle is not registered and is not properly insured.

Top of the bus is cut-off This is a safety hazard and the vehicle would not pass inspection and would likely be uninsurable.

Trailer hitched to a vehicle This is a safety hazard for transporting people. Trailers with license plates are acceptable for hauling, but not safe or insured for passengers transport.

Portable Toilet present This is an added hazard for sanitary reasons.

FOR THE OPERATORS The City of New Orleans Police Department and the Department of Safety and Permits will be ramping up enforcement on "party buses."

It is illegal to operate a party bus in New Orleans without being registered and approved by the Department of Safety and Permits.

Operation of unpermitted vehicles will result in a range of enforcement actions, from ticketing to arrests to impoundment.

For inquiries on how to become registered with the Department of Safety and Permits, you can contact the Ground Transportation Bureau via email at gtb@nola.gov or visit https://www.nola.gov/ground-transportation-bureau/ Insurance Requirements: The holder of a CP CPNC shall file with the Bureau, and keep in effect at all times, a policy of insurance with an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Louisiana. At a minimum, the policy must provide the following coverage: Charter Party Carriers: Standards and Requirements - 4 - a. For vehicles up to 15-passengers: $1,500,000 Combined Single Limit coverage. b. For vehicles with a seating capacity of 16 or more passengers: $5,000,000 Combined Single Limit coverage. c. All Charter Party Carriers shall carry $1,000,000 in General Liability coverage # # #