Excitement is building along the Gulf Coast as Amtrak gears up to launch its new “Mardi Gras Service” this summer.
While official fares and schedules are still under wraps, tourism officials are dropping hints that the new train ride will be an affordable and easy option for travelers ready to ride the rails.
David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile and a member of the Southern Rail Commission, says coach fares are expected to land between $29 and $55, with business class tickets running about 50 to 60 percent higher.
If all goes as planned, trains could start rolling as early as mid-July, giving travelers a fresh, laid-back way to connect Mobile to New Orleans and several Mississippi stops in between.
A Name That Feels Like Home
When Amtrak announced the name “Mardi Gras Service,” it hit the sweet spot between culture and charm.
Amtrak President Roger Harris said the name honors the Gulf Coast’s rich traditions, while locals like Bryan Fuenmayor, founder of Friends of Amtrak Mobile, praised the pick as a perfect fit.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson chimed in too, pointing out the region’s deep Mardi Gras roots.
From Mobile’s title as the birthplace of Mardi Gras to the massive celebrations stretching all the way to New Orleans, the name captures something special about life along the Gulf Coast.
It’s the kind of branding that feels ready-made for postcards, souvenirs, and a few memorable train selfies.
A Project Years in the Making
Getting to this point took a lot of teamwork.
The Mobile City Council approved funding last year after years of discussions that sometimes felt like they would never end.
Mobile agreed to chip in over $3 million across three years, with help from the Port of Mobile and backing from Governor Kay Ivey.
Louisiana and Mississippi also stepped up, and together with the Southern Rail Commission, they’ve pushed this project toward the finish line.
Clark credits the persistence of city and state leaders, port officials, and neighbors in neighboring states for making the dream a reality.
Now, the Gulf Coast is about to get its first passenger rail connection in decades—and it’s happening at the perfect time.
What Riders Can Expect
Documents filed with Mobile’s Board of Zoning Adjustment suggest early train departures from Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis before reaching New Orleans.
Returning trains from New Orleans are expected to arrive back around 11:19 a.m. and 9:14 p.m.
Those times aren’t final, but the general window gives travelers a good idea of how a day trip or weekend getaway could look.
Construction is already underway on a temporary platform near the Arthur Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
It’s a smart move to get things moving while plans for a full station stay tucked safely on the shelf—ready to go if ridership takes off.
Big Potential Beyond the Tracks
The arrival of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service isn’t just about easier travel.
David Clark says the train could pump more than $10 million a year into Mobile’s economy, filling hotels, restaurants, and attractions with visitors ready to experience the city.
Cruise lines are also paying attention.
At a recent industry conference, Clark said talk of Amtrak service sparked real interest because so many cruise passengers love having a rail option for their journeys.
Trains, cruises, Mardi Gras celebrations—it all ties together.
And with summer just around the corner, the Gulf Coast is lining up to be one of the easiest, liveliest, and most colorful places to explore.
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