A similar plan in Monroe County, Fla. -- the Florida Keys -- failed during Georges when drivers opted out. "The problem is that we may have the buses but we don’t have the drivers," said Irene Toner, director of the county’s emergency management office. "In Hurricane Georges we had 25 people on our bus-driver list and only five showed up."
There's no doubt that Nagin's indecision and lack of leadership was a problem, but to some extent, it appears that his hands were tied by the city unions.
If my memory is correct, on the first day this super hurricane appeared to be seriously threatening New Orleans, the Mayor himself said something to the effect of 'This is the Real Deal'. I think thats what he said.