Amtrak to Launch Mardi Gras Train Service Between Mobile and New Orleans

News Summary

Amtrak is set to launch its Mardi Gras Service on August 18, connecting Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. The new route offers twice-daily departures with stops at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Adult fares start at $15, with discounts for children, seniors, and groups. The service aims to accommodate approximately 68,000 passengers annually, providing comfortable amenities and local food options. Launch celebrations include an invitation-only inaugural ride on August 16.

Mobile, Alabama—Amtrak’s new intercity train service, named Mardi Gras Service, is set to launch on August 18, connecting Mobile to New Orleans for the first time since the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This new service will offer twice-daily departures from both cities, with morning and evening options aimed at providing convenient travel for residents and visitors alike.

The Mardi Gras Service will feature four intermediate stops along the Gulf Coast: Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. The train ride is expected to take approximately four hours each way, making it a practical option for commuters and tourists exploring the Gulf Coast.

Fares for adult coach seats will start at $15 each way, with lower prices available for shorter distances. Discounted rates will also be provided for children (ages 2-12), students, seniors, veterans, military personnel, families, and group travelers, enhancing accessibility to the service. Amtrak estimates that this route will serve approximately 68,000 passengers annually, indicating a strong demand for rail travel in the region.

Passengers on the Mardi Gras Service can look forward to comfortable amenities, including wide reclining seats, ample legroom, and the absence of middle seats. An on-board café will offer a selection of local foods, including Moon Pies, Hurricane cocktails, and muffulettas, alongside traditional café fare. The service will also support special requests, allowing golf bags with advance reservation and accommodating pets in carriers within weight limits.

Additionally, the Mardi Gras Service is designed with convenience in mind, including same-day connections to other Amtrak long-distance routes. This includes the City of New Orleans route to Chicago, and next-day connections to Crescent trains heading to New York and Sunset Limited trains going to Los Angeles.

To celebrate the launch, Amtrak plans an inaugural, invitation-only train ride on August 16. They are also offering promotional incentives as part of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, which allows members to earn triple points for qualifying trips taken on the new service until November 18, 2025.

This train service has received support from the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, and is financially backed by the City of Mobile. The Southern Rail Commission has played a critical role in advocating for the restoration of passenger rail service in the region, which is viewed as a significant opportunity for improved transportation options.

Local officials have expressed excitement over the potential positive impacts of the Mardi Gras Service on tourism and economic growth across the Gulf Coast. The launch of this train service marks a major milestone following years of planning and coordination, with the Mobile depot construction nearing completion.

The Mardi Gras Service not only revitalizes travel options but also symbolizes a renewed commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region. With this new service, Mobile and New Orleans will soon be more closely linked than ever before, creating opportunities for both residents and visitors.

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Additional Resources

• Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Announcement
• New York Times: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Route
• NOLA.com: Amtrak New Orleans Mobile Service
• AL.com: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Details
• Google Search: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service