Passenger rail service could return to the Gulf Coast after recent changes were made to the proposed contract with Amtrak that are now alleviating at least one Mobile city councilman's concerns. Councilman Josh Woods says the updated contract he read Wednesday morning has an important addition he was looking for.
From excitement to reality: Implementing passenger rail on the Gulf Coast
As we explained in our last article on passenger rail in the Gulf Coast, in 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration’s Gulf Coast Working Group (GCWG) established that the region needs passenger rail expansion, first from New Orleans to Mobile—a major step in growing the region’s rail network. However, the restoration process would require infrastructure and operations investment.
Mobile ‘pretty close’ to finalizing Amtrak lease and funding pact, city attorney says
Even with lingering doubts about the City Council’s willingness to subsidize Amtrak, City Attorney Ricardo Woods said Tuesday that a funding agreement and ground lease allowing for a platform downtown are “pretty close.”
City Councilman Ben Reynolds, who has been a vocal opponent of using local tax funds to pay for the service between Mobile and New Orleans, asked for an update. Speaking at the agenda-setting session before the weekly public council meeting, Reynolds said he and Amtrak lawyers have traded drafts in recent days.
Indication for Amtrak Gulf Coast Service Looks Grim
What a difference a few days can make! Only one week ago, on June 20, Railway Age covered the latest developments concerning the proposed Gulf Coast service, which would consist of two daily Amtrak passenger trains in each direction between New Orleans and Mobile, making intermediate stops at four towns along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Railway Age reported progress on the CRISI Grant Agreement, the environmental review for the Mobile Station Track Project, and negotiations with the City of Mobile as part of an overall story about status reports that the parties are making to the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The aspect seemed “green” and the indication “clear” as the Port of Mobile had agreed to share the estimated $3.048 million annual cost of operations with the City during the early years of operation, and the State was also exploring the idea of contributing.
Plan for returning Amtrak service to Gulf Coast could be derailed by Alabama city leaders
Not everyone is on board with a plan to return Amtrak trains to the Gulf Coast, which would restore passenger service to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana for the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Amtrak’s long-term plan is for trains to run from a station near the convention center in Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, with four stops in Mississippi, WALA-TV reported. But much of Alabama’s funding for the plan relies on the city of Mobile — and support among city council members there is wavering.
Alabama State Port Authority, once opposed to Amtrak, backs Gulf Coast rail with $1 million
The Alabama State Port Authority, once strongly opposed to bringing Amtrak service back to the Gulf Coast, is now willing to commit to $1 million over the next three years to support its service.
The authority’s board of directors, without debate Tuesday, voted unanimously to approve a $1 million expenditure to help offset the $3.048 million operations subsidy needed before the train service can begin with twice-daily trips between Mobile and New Orleans.
Port Authority, state could split costs to bring Amtrak back to Alabama's coast
The Alabama State Port Authority and the State of Alabama could help share the cost of an over $3 million effort to bring Amtrak's service back to the Gulf Coast.
The agreement with Amtrak would establish a passenger rail route between Mobile and New Orleans, but the city must provide the $3.048 million to keep earmarked federal grant money in place.
After hearing the council's concerns, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said Tuesday he has had conversations with the governor's office and the State Port Authority about providing assistance. Stimpson believes each entity paying $1.016 million would be the best amount for the city.
Mobile mayor says Alabama, port authority willing to invest one-third into Amtrak subsidy
The City of Mobile could share in the payment of a $3.048 million operations subsidy for Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service with the State of Alabama and the Alabama State Port Authority, according to Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
Mobile close to agreements to bring Amtrak rail service to the city
The city of Mobile still has work to do before work can begin to build a platform for Amtrak passenger service in that city.
Southern Rail Commissioners heard an update during their quarterly meeting that was held in Mobile on Friday morning.
Amtrak and the City of Mobile are finalizing the details for the station platform and layover track which is the final piece of infrastructure needed before the train can operate.
A lease agreement also has to be signed between the city and Amtrak, which is expected to be done by the end of this month.
Alabama governor’s office in talks with Mobile about Gulf Coast passenger funding
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office has been in contact with officials in Mobile about possible state involvement in the Gulf Coast passenger project, AL.com reports.
Mobile officials expressed concern during a Monday meeting that the city, rather than the state, was being asked to provide funding for Amtrak’s effort to launch passenger service between Mobile and New Orleans [see “More talk but no action …,” Trains News Wire, May 28, 2024]. Louisiana and Mississippi have pledged their support for operating funding, but Alabama has to date left the matter to Mobile. The city’s mayor, Sandy Stimpson, indicated during the Monday meeting that approaching the state was again a possibility, given the long-term infrastructure benefits that would come to the state’s rail system if the passenger service begins.