HOME CONTACT UPDATES TERMS LINKS MYSTERY TRIPS NEW ORLEANS LA. TRANSIT JeT Page created September 29, 2014. Last updated September 29, 2014.
©2014 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.

The Airport bus line was founded by Louisiana Rapid Transit (Louisiana Transit Company) in 1946 to serve Moisant Airport (now Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport) via Airline Highway (later Drive) to Tulane and S. Carrollton Aves. Service was extended to the Central Business District via Tulane Ave. to Loyola Dr./Elk Place. This extension was known as Airport Downtown Express and operated daytimes daily, doing only pickups outbound and dropoffs inbound. Nighttime service (after 7 p.m.) was done by the Airport line from Carrollton, with the last bus just after midnight. After Hurricane Katrina, service into downtown N.O. was only available weekdays (not holidays), with the last bus outbound from Carrollton 9:49 p.m. daily.

During the 1980s, Jefferson Transit numbered the route E2. Gillig Phantom roll signs bore the designations E2 Airport and E2 Airport Downtown Express (red background). Gillig BRT electronic signs merely read E2 Airport regardless of inner destination.

LA. TRANSIT GMC 313:

GMC 313 on Airport Downtown Express at Tulane Ave. and Elk Place on May 30, 1978 in a slide by John McKane. This was the location of the Eye, Ear, Nose, & Throat Hospital and is in 2013 the site of Deming Pavilion of Tulane University. One photo added 09/29/14.

LA. TRANSIT GMC 407:

GMC 407 is leaving the old Louisiana Transit Co. Jefferson Hwy. garage for the Airport Downtown Express line in the early 1980s. One photo added 09/29/14.

LA. TRANSIT GMC RTS 502:

RTS 502 at the Tulane Avenue and Elk Place terminal on July 16, 1982. One photo added 09/29/14.

RTS 502 outbound at Tulane Ave. and S. Saratoga St. (first photo) and S. Liberty St. (second) in the early 1980s. The Tulane University Medical Center Two photos added 09/29/14.

LA. TRANSIT GRUMMAN J103:

Grumman J103 at Airline and Williams in Kenner in the early 1980s. One photo added 09/29/14.

LA. TRANSIT GRUMMAN J106:


Grumman J106 inbound at Tulane and Loyola Aves. (first two pictures) next to the library and outbound at Tulane Ave. and S. Saratoga St. (third and fourth pictures) next to the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital in the early 1980s. Four photos added 09/29/14.

LA. TRANSIT UNKNOWN GRUMMANS:

A Grumman outbound at Tulane Ave. and S. Broad St. in the early 1980s. Note the Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken restaurant on the corner, and the rear of a NOPSI AM General on the Broad bus line left of that. One photo added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG J218:

Gillig J218 outbound on Airline Drive west of David Dr. in November 2001. One photo added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG J228:


Gillig J228 wrapped in Powerball livery inbound at Tulane and Loyola Aves. on October 5, 2011. Four photos added 09/29/14.

Gillig J228 outbound at Tulane Ave. and LaSalle St. on October 5, 2011. Three photos added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG J247:

Gillig J247 outbound at Airline and David/Hickory Drs. on October 3, 2011. Three photos added 09/29/14.

Gillig J247 (with wraps advertising Harold's Plumbing on streetside and Chase Dardar State Farm Insurance on the rear) inbound at Tulane and Loyola Aves. on October 5, 2011. Four photos added 09/29/14.

Gillig J247 inbound at Airline Dr. and Roosevelt Blvd. in Kenner on October 5, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG J248:

Gillig J248 at Tulane Ave. and Elk Place about to start another outbound run in November 2001. Four photos added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 401:

Gillig 401 outbound at Airline Dr. and Phlox Ave. on October 3, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Gillig 401 inbound at Airline and David Drs. on October 3, 2011. Three photos added 09/29/14.


Gillig 401 outbound at Airline and David Drs. on October 4, 2011. Six photos added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 405:

Gillig 405 outbound at Airline Dr. and Cleary Ave. on October 1, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Gillig 405 outbound at Airline Dr. and Monroe St. on October 3, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Gillig 405 inbound at Airline Dr. and Elise Ave. (outside the New Orleans Saints Headquarters) on October 4, 2011. Three photos added 09/29/14.


Gillig 405 inbound at Airline Dr. and Cleary Ave. (Sam's Club) on October 4, 2011. Five photos added 09/29/14.

Gillig 405 inbound at Airline Dr. and Cleary Ave. on October 4, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Gillig 405 outbound at Airline Dr. and Warren St. (alongside the airport) on October 5, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 415:

Gillig 415 inbound at Tulane and Loyola Aves. on October 5, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Two interior shots of Gillig 415 on October 5, 2011. Two photos added 09/29/14.

Gillig 415 outbound at Airline and Lynnette Drs. on October 5, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

Gillig 415 inbound at Tulane and Carrollton Aves. on October 5, 2011. One photo added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 417:


Gillig 417 inbound at Tulane and S. Carrollton Aves. (just off the overpass) on March 6, 2014. Five photos added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 421:


Gillig 421 inbound at Airline Dr. and N. Howard Ave. on February 28, 2014. Six photos added 09/29/14.

JeT GILLIG 425:


Gillig 425 inbound at Airline Dr. and Hickory Ave./David Dr. on February 28, 2014. Seven photos added 09/29/14.

JeT UNKNOWN GILLIG BRTs:



A Gillig BRT outbound at Tulane and S. Carrollton Aves. on March 6, 2014. The bus is wrapped for Crimestoppers, but a fleet number has not been applied over it. Eleven photos added 09/29/14.