The Mobile City Council has approved funding for Gulf Coast Amtrak Train Service from New Orleans to Mobile by a 6-0 vote. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the platforms in New Orleans and the Mississippi cities are now complete and the next steps are to complete the platforms and station tracks in Mobile…

“…and that gives us a much better idea of ​​how to set an accurate launch date.”

Ross says the trip on two trains that run from New Orleans to Mobile and back, stopping in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport Biloxi and Pascagoula, will initially be a little slower than driving. But he says the majority of the funding for the project will go toward improving the tracks…

“Remember, you’re traveling from downtown down, not just from city limits to city limits. And with these improvements, the train ride will be significantly faster.”

Since all of the towns along the route are pedestrian-friendly, Ross believes this will be a great weekend getaway for South Louisiana residents…

“Say, hey, I can drive over on the weekend and have a really good time. And I don’t have to drive and I don’t have to venture onto I-10, and the vacation starts when I get on the train.”

Ross says schedules and fares will be posted on the Amtrak.com website about 90 days before service begins.