Finally Amtrak to Reveal Start Date, Prices, for Gulf Coast Rail Service Today

[ Updated 0900 07.01.25] Amtrak revealed vital information regarding the reinstated passenger rail service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana. For schedules and fare information, scroll down.

(Original Story)(KMDL-FM) It's been an odyssey some twenty years in the making. It started with a major hurricane in 2005, and finally, today, July 1, 2025, we will have some closure on the opening of Amtrak service across the Gulf South between the cities of Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Closure on the opening? I know, not the easiest thing to explain, but if you've been following the saga of Amtrak across the Gulf Coast for the past several years like I have, you can appreciate just how long this has taken.

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Back in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina swept ashore, it decimated railroad infrastructure between New Orleans and Mobile. Because freight traffic was the higher priority in getting rail service up and running following the storm, not a lot of effort was put into bringing back passenger rail service between the two cities.

Why Was Amtrak Service Stopped Between New Orleans and Mobile?

While the idea of reinstating passenger rail was never really off the table, the project didn't really acquire a lot of steam until some federal infrastructure grants were made and the Southern Rail Commission started working with state and local governments along the route to restart the service.

In most cases, train stations had to be refurbished or completely rebuilt, and in the case of Mobile, there was a lot of political infighting before a new station location was agreed upon, and most importantly, who was going to pay for it. That has all been settled.

So this morning, during a press briefing in Mobile at Government Plaza at 8 am, railroad officials will let us know the details we have all been yearning to learn. Namely, when will the trains be running, and how much does it cost to ride?

What is the Schedule and What are the Prices for Amtrak on the Gulf Coast?

We do know the reinstated route will feature Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, that's the name of the train/route that connects the two cities most closely identified with Mardi Gras, namely New Orleans and Mobile. The trains will also make stops at Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St Louis.

After today's opening remarks in Mobile, there will be press briefings in Pascagoula at 9:45, in Biloxi at 11 am, in Gulfport at Noon, 1:15 p.m. in Bay St. Louis, and a final press briefing at 3 p.m. this afternoon inside the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans.

Amtrak has revealed that service will begin between the two cities on August 18. Tickets start at $15 each way. Tickets for shorter trips will be less than $15. Amtrak will also offer discounts on the route for seniors and for students. There are also group discounts and military discounts available.

For more information on trains, times, and amenities, that information is available here.