Passenger rail service starts today between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama as Amtrak’s new “Mardi Gras Service” begins twice-daily routes. The service will have morning and evening departures, and the train will also make stops along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Chairman of the Southern Rail Commission Knox Ross says interest is high.
“The first runs are sold out. I was told yesterday that the first Saints game sold out. So we’re very happy about that. We’re very encouraged about that,” Ross said.
Ross believes the Mardi Gras Service will bring more visitors to New Orleans and he expects the train will have passengers taking a day trip or weekend trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast or Mobile.
“You could say, ‘I want to get out of the city, and I want to go to the aquarium in Gulfport.’ You can do that, come back home in the evening, go out and enjoy the beach for the day. You can come into New Orleans for the day,” Ross said.
1996 was the last time there was passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile. Ross says the next step is to connect New Orleans and Baton Rouge with a passenger train.
“So that we can turn this into a Baton Rouge to Mobile corridor. And that’s what would be very exciting, and we think would be a real economic boon for that whole corridor.
Adult coach fares end-to-end for Amtrak’s Marci Gras Service start at $15 each way and the tickets cost less if it’s a shorter distance.
