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The much-anticipated list of bus stops and fares has been announced for Ride Acadiana, the pilot commuter bus route connecting Acadia Parish to Lafayette, which begins Aug. 20.
A total of 20 stops make up the route, with eight stops in Crowley, three in Rayne, one each in Duson and Scott, and seven in Lafayette.
Riders can get on or off buses at any stop.
The Lafayette stops include the campuses of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College, as well as Lafayette General Medical Center and University Hospitals & Clinics.
These stops were strategically chosen to align with the pilot route’s goal of providing greater access to employment and education opportunities, and healthcare resources.
Convenient park-and-ride locations near several of the stops have also been established, allowing commuters to park a car and catch the bus into Lafayette.
Bus fares are $5 for a two-ride card, and $20 for a 12-ride card, with discounts for people 65 years and over, and those disabled or on Medicare.
Children 5 and younger ride free.
Fares may be paid on-board the bus with exact change, or passes may be purchased in advance at each of the city halls in Crowley, Rayne, Duson and Scott, and at Lafayette’s Rosa Parks Transportation Center.
The schedule has morning run times from 5:30 a.m. until noon, and afternoon/evening run times from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Real-time tracking of the buses will be made available through an app that can be downloaded onto mobile devices in the coming days.
For complete details, visit RideAcadiana.com.
Crowley stops will include:
• Odd Fellows Road at Tower Road, near Walmart;
• Odd Fellows Road at Cherokee Drive, at Stine Home and Yard (Park & Ride);
• North Parkerson at Northern Avenue;
• North Parkerson at East Sixth Street;
• North Parkerson at First Street, Enterprise Center (Park & Ride);
• South Eastern Avenue (La. 13) at East Elm Street, Lagrange Grocery (Park & Ride);
• North Parkerson at East First Street, Bus Depot; and
• East Northern Avenue at U.S. 90, Acadia General Hospital.
Rayne stops will be:
• Fourth Street at West Anding Street, Southside Community Center (Park & Ride);
• American Legion Drive at Second Street, American Legion (street parking here is designated as Park & Ride); and
• East Texas Avenue (U.S. 90) at North Arenas Street, Post Office.
In Duson, the buses will stop at Toby Mouton Road at North A Street (Town Hall). This is a designated Park & Ride location.
One stop also is scheduled in Scott, at Scott Market at 917 Cayret St., a designated Park & Ride location.
Lafayette stops will include:
• Luke Street at Devalcourt Street, SLCC parking lot B;
• Bertrand Street at Congress Street, University Hospital & Clinics;
• Johnston Street at College Road; near Walgreens and Albertsons (this is a transfer stop, meaning riders can transfer into the Lafayette Transit System for access to other routes in the city);
• East St. Mary Boulevard at Hebrard Boulevard, UL Dupre Library;
• Coolidge Boulevard at Hospital Drive, Lafayette General Medical Center; and
• Rosa Parks Transportation Center (this is another transfer stop where riders can transfer into the Lafayette Transit System for access to other routes in the city).

Over the course of this past year, I have been so proud to represent my hometown - the “Frog Capital of the World,” and Louisiana’s “City of Murals,” as your 2017 Miss Rayne. It’s been my pleasure and privilege to represent our city. This opportunity has blessed me with a wonderful year of experiences, and the memories will last a lifetime!
I visited The International Rice Festival - where I learned to thresh rice, jumped frogs with the Rayne Lion’s Club, and rode in the Rice Festival parade with my sister queens.
Some other events I enjoyed include; the CFMA’s Le Cajun Festival, the Cattle Festival pageant, Miss Lake Arthur, Miss UL Lafayette, Miss Relay for Life, and the LAFF Queen of Queens Pageant and Convention in Baton Rouge.
Locally, I enjoyed painting faces and handing out awards at the Rayne Fright Fest, meeting and greeting guests at the annual Grand Court Mardi Gras, and I loved spending time with our local youth at the Easter Eggstravaganza. I even caught a fish or two with the kids at the Rayne Fishing Derby.
I attended the 2018 Miss and Mr. Tadpole and Frog Festival Pageants, where I sadly bid farewell to our amazing 2017 queens and king and welcomed the 2018 Frog Festival Royalty when they were crowned.
I had the awesome experience of having two frog families to make memories with, during my time as Miss Rayne.
Although all the events I attended were a pleasure, I must say the highlight of my reign was Frog Festival weekend. Maybe I’m a little biased, but absolutely nothing was better! I got to spend time with my sister queens and king all weekend; riding rides, jumping frogs, meeting new faces, trying a little too hard to win a stuffed animal, and enjoying all the delicious food while listening to talented bands play.
After the Frog Derby, as I was walking one of our more impressive bullfrogs back to the booth, I was stopped by a group of little ones. They were all dressed up for the “Froggy Fashion” contest, and wanted to touch the frog, and see it up close. As I knelt to show them, I realized in that moment, that I couldn’t think of another place I’d rather be. I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to share the charms of the City of Rayne with others.
This year has flown by! It’s hard to believe it’s almost over, and I couldn’t have done it without some wonderful people that I’d like to thank.
First, I want to thank God for keeping me safe during this year and in my travels.
Mrs. Suzette and Ms. Nikki, I couldn’t ask for better directors! Thank you so much for all your love and support this year.
I want to thank the City of Rayne and Mayor Chuck Robicheaux, for taking me in this year and keeping me “in the loop” despite my crazy college schedule.
State Representative John Stefanski, thank you so much for presenting me with the commendation from the State of Louisiana. It’s something I will always treasure.
Ms. Lisa and Ms. Josie, thank you so much for taking and sharing pictures of my journey with the citizens of Rayne.
Docq and Cheryl Gaspard, thank you so much for making me feel like you were my personal photographers! You always managed to capture magic moments during my reign.
Angie and Stuart Broussard, thank you for always being there for me when I needed it the most, and in a pinch!
To all the beautiful rhinestone sisters that I have had the honor to travel with and meet this year, I’m so glad I got to connect with so many wonderful ladies.
I’d also like to take this time to thank my family, friends and the citizens of Rayne for all of their support. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
I admit, I am heavy-hearted as my reign comes to an end, but I am also excited that I will have the honor to crown your 2018 Miss Rayne. Please join me this Saturday, August 11th at 6 p.m. at the Rayne Civic Center, to see who is next! Hope to see you there!!!

Corinne Doucet
2017 Miss Rayne

RAYNE - Word was received from Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux and City Hall staff that as of July 1, 2018, the City of Rayne has been named as a State Certified Cultural District by the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
Announced was made of eight new Cultural Districts, bringing the total number of Cultural Districts to 97, in 63 towns and 37 parishes throughout the state.
The number of cities named is evidence of this successful initiative embraced by local gonernments and cultural stakeholders throughout the entire state.
“We signed up for this program and I’m very happy Rayne was recognized,” as stated by Robichaux of the distinction. “We have many people to thank for this honor.”
In addition to Rayne, the new 2018 districts certified include:
Church Point of Acadia Parish, Bayou des Glaises of Avoyelles Parish, Cecilia et les Alentours of St. Martin Parish, McComb Veasey Cultural District of Lafayette Parish, Morganza Cultural District of Point Coupee Parish, North Lake Charles of Calcasieu Parish and Pine Village of Orleans Parish.
Due to this certification, Rayne can now receive many benefits, including grants, tax credits, business development, and much more.