Amtrak’s services will pick up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time since Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the region in just over two months.
Officials announced that Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras service — a passenger rail connecting Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans, with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis, along the way — will be up and running on August 18. The twice-daily train route, with a theme matching its destinations’ rich culture, was initially scheduled to launch in early June, but construction concerns in Mobile delayed the grand debut.
Nonetheless, officials have now given the green light for a start date to be announced. In mid-August, just ahead of college and NFL football season, folks will be able to explore multiple coastal cities and immerse themselves in each town’s unique offerings.
“This isn’t just a transportation milestone; it’s a transformative opportunity to drive tourism growth across our entire region,” Coastal Mississippi Tourism CEO Judy Young said. “We’re deeply grateful to Amtrak and our state, local, and federal partners for working together to turn this long-awaited vision into reality.”
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is expected to bring thousands of new visitors annually to coastal Mississippi’s cities and towns, giving outsiders a golden opportunity to experience culinary excellence, a multitude of highly-touted resort-style casinos, and beach stops that are often overlooked.
“I’m thrilled to have Amtrak service restored along the Gulf Coast! It has been almost 20 years since Hurricane Katrina interrupted this service, and its reopening has been a lot of hard work. The Mardi Gras Rail will expand travel options and allow more Americans to experience the beauty and economic benefits of the Gulf Coast,” U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss) said.
“Mississippians deserve access to reliable transportation, and the Mardi Gras Rail will provide more options for communities along the Gulf Coast. I am looking forward to joining Amtrak and thousands of fellow Mississippians at the grand opening.”
Adult coach fares for the Mardi Gras $15 each way for those traveling end-to-end. The price drops for shorter distances. Amtrak officials report that there are daily discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, small groups, and large groups. Additional ticket information can be found here.
