Tulane University students are no strangers to party buses for social event transportation, but new law enforcement regulation efforts may be changing that. 

During a recent New Orleans City Council Transportation and Airport Committee meeting, New Orleans Police Department Captain Anthony Micheu stated that party buses with amplified sound and certain modifications are not legal, citing safety concerns.   

“They can’t be paid to operate with amplified sound or create unsafe conditions where someone could be ejected in a crash,” Micheu said. 

With formal and graduation season approaching, many students use party buses for transportation to the celebrations.  

Tulane sophomore Monika Baileys recalled riding on a party bus that was intercepted by the police.  

“We [saw] a lady policeman get on the bus with her flashlight … and telling us to get out,” Baileys said. “Everybody started migrating to different places, like houses, to just figure out what they [were] gonna do … I had to go to my friend’s house and call an Uber.” 

Party bus companies need to obtain special permits and meet a series of requirements; policies can range from $1 million to $5 million. 

Jonathan McCray, founder of We Live Party Bus, said his industry already faces strict regulations. 

“We don’t really think [party buses are] illegal — the guidelines are just very strict … it’s hard to afford what’s required,” McCray said during the meeting.