The Amtrak train passed through downtown Bay St. Louis Friday morning just as the Southern Rail Commission met to provide updates on the new Mardi Gras line and honor Kay Kell for her part in restoring Amtrak passenger service. The meeting drew Amtrak board members from as far as Idaho to deliver the news about the impressive start to Amtrak’s first expansion of this kind of train service in 20 years.
Amtrak: Mardi Gras route tops preliminary ridership estimates
Amtrak's Gulf Coast route doubles ridership expectations
Amtrak's new Gulf Coast service is on track to double the company's passenger estimates, officials say.
Why it matters: It's good news for the train route trying to make a comeback after 20 years.
The big picture: More than 46,000 people have ridden the Mardi Gras service trains since Aug. 18, Amtrak officials confirmed last week.
Amtrak service from Mobile to New Orleans surges past 46,000 riders, shattering expectations
Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service is surging far beyond expectations, with more than 46,000 riders since its Aug. 18 launch and trains filling up along the Gulf Coast.
In its first 108 days, the national passenger rail operator says the line is averaging more than 420 customers a day on round trips between Mobile and New Orleans, a pace that easily outstrips projections for the route’s first year.
Amtrak Marks a Year of Growth in 2025
Amtrak has reported its Fiscal Year 2025 results, highlighting continued growth in ridership, revenue and network development across the United States.
The company recorded its highest number of annual passenger journeys and operating revenue to date, reflecting sustained interest in rail travel and progress in modernising services.
One Of Amtrak's Latest Train Routes Offers A Wildly Popular Getaway Along The Gulf Coast
With a name like "Amtrak Mardi Gras Service," you can assume this new passenger line is a good time, or at least the way to get to one. Amtrak started the service on August 18, 2025 as a way to connect New Orleans — the nerve center of Mardi Gras celebrations — to less-famous cities along the Gulf Coast. At first glance, this new route is like any other Amtrak ride: You board a train in Mobile, Alabama, and make your way to the Crescent City, or vice versa. You probably won't knock back "hurricane" cocktails while onboard, and you won't have to do anything scandalous to earn beaded necklaces. You can enjoy cafe service and free WiFi, the same you'd find on most Amtrak trains.
Amtrak's Gulf Coast service shatters passenger projections. How many are taking the train?
When Amtrak's Mardi Gras service launched this summer, every seat was booked. Nearly three months later, the demand shows no signs of slowing down, with tourists and commuters alike opting to travel the Gulf Coast by train instead of car.
Amtrak Mardi Gras Train Service Transforms Travel Between Mobile and New Orleans While Reducing Highway Congestion and Supporting Coastal Businesses
The Amtrak Mardi Gras Train Service is revolutionizing travel along the Gulf Coast by providing a reliable and convenient rail option between Mobile and New Orleans. Since its launch in August 2025, the service has attracted thousands of passengers, offering an affordable alternative to driving that helps reduce congestion on the busy I-10 corridor. At the same time, it injects visitors directly into downtown areas of coastal cities, supporting hotels, restaurants, and small businesses, and creating a measurable boost for local economies.
Amtrak expands Mardi Gras Service as ridership surges along Gulf Coast
Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service between New Orleans and Mobile is off to a strong start, with trains selling out for major events and prompting the addition of more seats to meet rising demand.
Since launching in August, the route has carried nearly 19,000 passengers through September, averaging more than 105 customers per train, according to Amtrak. To accommodate growing ridership, the company recently added an extra train car, increasing capacity by 60 seats on trips to New Orleans during Saints home game weekends.
I rode a coastal train resurrected 20 years after Hurricane Katrina - it was a joy
As the diesel engine rumbles, I sink into my seat and sip my hot milky coffee. It’s dark outside the window, the sun just starting to rise between glassy buildings. Inside the carriage, there’s a feeling of excitement as passengers bundle aboard, flinging bags onto racks and settling in.
Minutes later, the horn sounds and the shiny red and blue train slides out of the station along new tracks. Everyone in the carriage lets out a cheer.