City of Mobile joins coalition of Gulf Coast cities in support of passenger rail service

Jul 25th, 2016

Mobile, Ala. - The City of Mobile is the latest municipality to join a coalition of cities across the Gulf Coast that support the restoration of a passenger rail service extending from New Orleans, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida.

"A Gulf Coast passenger rail service will facilitate job creation, enhance tourism and reduce environmental and roadway impacts," said Mayor Stimpson. "This service will not only connect cities across the Gulf Coast, but will also link Mobile to the Midwest, West Coast and across the nation. It will benefit all of our citizens, but especially those with limited transportation options or physical challenges."

CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern, the owners of the railroad tracks, have both committed to working with Amtrak to provide this vital service across the Gulf Coast.

Previously, the Amtrak's Sunset Limited passenger line was the only transcontinental passenger rail service from Los Angeles passing through New Orleans to Orlando. After Hurricane Katrina damaged a portion of the rail infrastructure along the Gulf Coast, Amtrak suspended all service on the eastern portion of the Sunset Limited line from New Orleans through Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Mobile, Atmore, Pensacola, Crestview, Chipley, Tallahassee, Madison, Lake City, and Jacksonville to Orlando.

A resolution supporting the restoration of the passenger rail service will be on Tuesday's City Council agenda.