The Mobile City Council approved funding for the Gulf Coast Amtrak Train Service running from New Orleans to Mobile with a 6-0 vote. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says with platforms ready in New Orleans and the Mississippi cities the next steps are getting the platform and station track completed in Mobile…
“..and that will give us a much better idea of exactly honing in on a start date.”
Ross says the commute for two trains that will run round trip from New Orleans to Mobile with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport Biloxi, and Pascagoula will initially be slightly slower than driving but says most of the funding for the project is going towards track improvement…
“Remember you’re going from downtown to down not just city limit to city limit. And as those improvements go in the train will speed up substantially.”
With all the cities along the route pedestrian-friendly, Ross believes this will become a great weekend getaway for South Louisianians…
“Say hey, I can ride over there for the weekend and have a really nice time. And not have to drive and have to brave I-10, and vacation starts when you get on the train.”
Ross says the schedule and fares will be posted on the Amtrak.com website around 90 days before services begin.
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