Taylor Swift’s economic impact is absolutely huge. Swifties brought an estimated $195 million to the Taylor Swift economy. However, that is just the lower end estimate based on the fact that Swifties—on average—spend about $1,300 on goods and services and there were 150,000 visitors to New Orleans; the actual amount could be many times more than that. (Riegel)

Taylor Swift has been known to boost public transit ridership wherever she goes. Transit agencies across the country saw ridership that matched or even exceeded pre-pandemic ridership levels. 

I tried to reach out to a NORTA Board Member for comment on how much impact the tour had on ridership but there is a two month delay in data collection and publishing. However, I think the numbers will be quite high due to two factors and some of my own personal observations. I remember seeing streetcars full to the brim on St. Charles. Not to mention that NORTA was offering free rides on Saturday, October 26 for early election. This would have absolutely caused ridership to surge even more as making something free makes more people use it even if it’s less convenient than an Uber or Lyft. This is quite good news for NORTA’s streetcar system which has seen a slump in ridership due to the aftereffects of the Hard Rock Hotel Collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic. It was unfortunate that the St. Charles line had to terminate early at Harmony Circle due to the installation of art. I’m sure many Swifties were disappointed they had to transfer to a bus. (Maccash)

Works Cited

Maccash, Doug. “Why are there giant cranes at Harmony Circle blocking the streetcar? A work of art is being built.” NOLA.com, 26 October 2024, https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/arts/art-harmony-circle-streetcar-blocked-prospect6/article_bd9b6e68-93c8-11ef-aaca-c76aec7271f1.html. Accessed 20 November 2024.

Riegel, Stephanie. “Taylor Swift brought friendship bracelets, good times and a massive economic boost to NOLA.” NOLA.com, 28 October 2024, https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/taylor_swift/taylor-swift-new-orleans-hotels-restaurants-economy-tourism-hospitality/article_f1cd282e-9572-11ef-89e0-83b2d5222d02.html. Accessed 20 November 2024.