Public hearings to bring Amtrak passenger service back to the Coast

More talks centered around bringing Amtrak passenger service back to the Gulf Coast.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board held a public hearing this morning, discussing some of the roadblocks preventing the project from moving forward.

Amtrak would need access to tracks operated by CSX and Norfolk Southern Rails in order to run two daily Amtrak trains between New Orleans and Mobile.

That request went before the transportation board last year. Now CSX and NS are required to either provide Amtrak that access or prove to the public why they cannot successfully host those trains.

Amtrak has been working with state and local leaders in South Mississippi for five years now to bring back passenger service to the Gulf Coast including U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. “Since 2010 the population has steadily increased, increasing demand for transportation options. Because of the increased population, passenger rail service would be even more beneficial than ever. Restoration of this vital service is long overdue.”

Senator Wicker went on to say restoration of the Gulf Coast Passenger Rail Service after 16 years would mark the completion of a long recovery from Hurricane Katrina and support future economic growth.