Amtrak announced on July 1 that its Mardi Gras service route from Mobile to New Orleans will operate twice daily, beginning August 18.
The trip from Mobile to New Orleans will take approximately four hours, according to Amtrak.
Trains will depart Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There will be short stops at Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis. The morning train will arrive in New Orleans before noon, allowing travelers to catch afternoon Saints games and return on the departing train, which will leave around 5 p.m.
Round-trip tickets range from $30 to $80 on the Amtrak booking website. The inaugural trip on Aug. 18 is sold out in the morning, but coach seats are available for the evening ride.
“There’s seven city councilors and one mayor who are very interested in making sure we’re on that train,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said.
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The Mobile City Council pledged $3 million to fund the service for three years, and the Alabama Port Authority and Gov. Kay Ivey’s office have since agreed to split that cost.
“We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new, comfortable, and scenic service and have the first opportunity to travel by train on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in nearly 20 years,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “Guests can plan travel for football trips this fall, for November and December holiday travel, and even Mardi Gras season next year.”
Amtrak announced everyday discounts for children, veterans, students, and seniors and is offering incentives for travelers to book the Mardi Gras service in return for triple travel points with Amtrak during the first three months of operation.
Amtrak said its trains will be equipped with business and coach seats, a cafe offering a menu of locally sourced food, wide reclining seats, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and will allow up to two 50-pound carry-on bags and one personal item. Pets will be allowed on trains in carriers and within reasonable weight guidelines.
Amtrak will connect with three other services from New Orleans. Trains from New Orleans will go to Chicago, stopping in Jackson, Miss., and Memphis. Routes to Atlanta and Los Angeles also leave from New Orleans.
Courtesy of Call News.
