Transportation Law
From KatrinaLegalRelief
Many of the affected airlines, cruise lines, bus lines, and rail line websites, toll free numbers, and specific Hurricane Katrina information are included at the end of this section. Travelers who purchased tickets through a travel agency should contact the travel agency directly.
Airlines
Will passengers with airline tickets from an airport closed due to Hurricane Katrina be able to reschedule or get a refund without penalty? What if a passenger is personally unable to travel to an unaffected destination because of the storm?
This depends on the airline. Most airlines are accommodating rescheduling and refunds without penalties, however this is subject to meeting certain conditions, and may be restricted. As accommodations are not federally regulated, each carrier has its own specific Hurricane Katrina travel policies. Therefore, it is imperative to check with the airline itself.
Also, since airlines are declaring Hurricane Katrina as force majeure (an unexpected event or condition beyond the airline’s control such as, but not limited to, meteorological conditions, acts of God, etc.,), each carrier’s Hurricane Katrina policies are subject to change, and are extremely fluid. Therefore, it is important to check with the airline frequently.
I bought an airline ticket through Expedia/Travelocity/Orbitz/etc. The flight has been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Will I be able to reschedule or get a refund without penalty?
As with airlines, each travel search engine has different Hurricane Katrina policies. Most, if not all of them, have waived their change and cancel fees, as long as certain conditions have been met. It is important to check with each travel search engine directly. Travel search engines do not have the authority to waive airline imposed fees, but they will work with the airlines on your behalf.
Highway use
Many people will be moving personnel, supplies, or material in support of the relief efforts for the natural disaster. Must permits be obtained for oversize or overweight commercial vehicles used in the relief effort? Are emergency permits available?
Permits are required for moving oversize or overweight commercial vehicles through the highways of disaster areas. Vehicles must follow states guidelines for transportation even during emergency situations.
In Mississippi, one may apply for an ExpressPass online at https://www.expresspass.ms.gov/trucking/ or by phone at (888) 737-0061; (601) 359-1717. However, the state has also provided a document allowing the holder to transport overweight commercial vehicles through state routes for hurricane relief. This authorization is currently valid through September 20, 2005 and can be located at http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/pdf/ms_katrina.pdf.
Louisiana has a similar policy available at http://www.dotd.state.la.us/highways/maintenance/permits/home.asp or by phone at (800) 654-1433. The Governor has also issued an executive order allowing for a permit waiver for the transport of hurricane relief materials. This authorization, which contains certain specifications, may be found at http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/pdf/la_katrina.pdf and is valid until rescinded by the Governor.
All information obtained from: http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/permit_report.htm#obt
Will a passenger with bus tickets to or from an affected area be able to reschedule or get a refund without penalty? What if a passenger is personally unable to travel to an unaffected area because of the storm?
Bus service to or from the affected areas has been severely limited due to Hurricane Katrina. Many bus lines are experiencing schedule delays and cancellations. As with airlines, each has its own Hurricane Katrina policy in place. Therefore, it is important to check with the individual bus line for the most updated service information.
Maritime Issues
If a passenger booked tickets on a cruise scheduled to depart or arrive in an affected port, will the passenger be able to reschedule or get a refund without penalty? What if a passenger was personally unable to travel because of the storm?
As with the airlines, Hurricane Katrina policy depends on the cruise line. Most of them will allow you to cancel and receive a full refund, or rebook. However, as the Port of New Orleans is closed indefinitely, all cruises originally scheduled to depart from there are now operating from other ports indefinitely. Additionally, some cruise lines have chartered their ships to the Military Sealift Command on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Therefore, departures on those ships have been cancelled. It is wise to contact the individual cruise line directly for specific information as certain restrictions and conditions may apply to any changes.
Railway Issues
Will passengers with booked rail tickets to or from an affected area be able to reschedule or get a refund without penalty?
Due to the infrastructure damage from Hurricane Katrina, passenger rail service has been affected to and from the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. Amtrak is offering full refunds and waiver of all penalties for passengers with reservations traveling to or from New Orleans or other areas served by the affected trains. Certain restrictions and conditions apply, and this may change as the situation changes, so it is wise to contact Amtrak directly for specific information.
If a passenger is able to rebook, will alternate transportation be provided if the rail service books the passenger to a city different than originally booked to?
Amtrak has modified its service to and from the Gulf Coast and New Orleans until further notice. Railway points of origin or destinations in the Gulf Coast and New Orleans have been changed to other cities. It appears that alternate transportation to and from some of the new cities will not be provided, so it is wise to contact Amtrak directly for specific information.
