Tagged: transportation

The chief financial officer of the Department of Transportation and Development says a troubled toll bridge in coastal south Louisiana has increased its collections by adding a payment lane on site.

But DOTD Undersecretary Michael Bridges acknowledged the change last month also has encountered problems, including equipment failure, long lines and driver confusion.

The comments came Wednesday at a state transportation panel hearing about the bridge on La. Highway 1 in Leeville, which is just west of Grand Isle.

The school bus company that transports most public school students in New Orleans has laid off its drivers in a dispute over $7.2 million in unpaid bills.

Blaine Krage, a spokesman for Warrenville, Ill.-based Durham School Services, told The Times-Picayune Tuesday that the company has sent termination letters to 142 drivers and 55 bus monitors telling them "we will not need their services this upcoming school year."

Spirit Airlines will be offering direct flights from New Orleans to Dallas. The additional service kicks in just in time for the Super Bowl.

Spirit Airlines is starting service to New Orleans, offering daily non-stop flights between Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

New Orleans International says the low-cost carrier plans to start the flights on Jan. 24 with either a 145-seat Airbus A319 or 178-seat Airbus A320.

The planned flight schedule calls for one round trip between New Orleans and Dallas daily.