Amtrak unveiled the Mardi Gras Service this week, promising to reconnect Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, through a vibrant and festive rail experience along the Gulf Coast. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Train travel surges, and Amtrak reports record numbers in North Carolina and Virginia for 2024.

Revival of Gulf Coast Rail with Mardi Gras Service

The Mardi Gras Service will operate twice daily, covering 145 miles and stopping in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis. Travelers departing New Orleans can continue westward to Houston and San Antonio using the Sunset Limited.

Don’t miss…DART Silver Line Schedule: Testing and Service Updates

Amtrak President Roger Harris highlighted that the Mardi Gras Service celebrates the Gulf Coast’s unique culture and aims to bring festive energy to each journey. Harris emphasized that traveling should offer more than just reaching a destination.

Although the exact start date has not been announced, the naming ceremony marks a significant milestone. Officials expect the service to boost tourism and create fresh economic opportunities for coastal communities.

Mardi Gras Service Honors Local Heritage and Partnerships

The Gulf Coast rail line remained inactive since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region in 2005. Previously known as the Gulf Coast Limited, the line’s restoration has involved years of planning and negotiations.

Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker praised the launch of the Mardi Gras Service. He credited local governments and economic groups for collaborating with Amtrak to revive the critical transportation link after nearly two decades of dormancy.

Meanwhile, other rail projects have struggled. The federal government recently canceled a $60 million grant for the Texas Central Railway, a high-speed bullet train intended to connect Houston and Dallas.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the Texas project, describing it as a misuse of taxpayer money. He argued that Amtrak should concentrate efforts on enhancing core services like the Mardi Gras Service.

Source: www.chron.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…New Rail Projects in Mexico to Connect 49 Million Residents

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit