Following Amtrak’s announcement that it will be filing a petition with the Surface Transportation Board to permit operations of passenger rail between New Orleans and Mobile, Mayors and organizations across the Gulf Coast have issued statements of support:
Mayor LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans:
"Restoring passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile is a critical economic driver for our region. I pledge to work with Amtrak and the railroads to help make the service a reality. We know that to grow, we have to think regionally, and this is a step in connecting New Orleanians with destinations along the Gulf Coast."
Mayor Billy Hewes, Gulfport:
“We are proud to show off Mississippi’s newly opened aquarium and we know visitors and families from all over the region would enjoy making the trip to visit it by train. Our local businesses are more than ready for the return of passenger rail which will bring new opportunities to support our local economy.”
Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich, Biloxi:
“This spring weather should inspire everyone to head to Biloxi and the Gulf Coast for fun. Our beaches and casinos are open for business and our transit center is a welcoming entry point. Step off the train and you are a couple blocks away from the beaches, the excitement of our casino resorts, and everything our community has to offer. We have been waiting for this day for years, and we thank everyone who has helped make it happen. We know daily passenger rail service will help exponentially expand our offerings to a broader audience by creating new daily service. It will create a synergy all along the Gulf Coast.”
Mayor Michael Favre, Bay St. Louis:
“Bay St. Louis has invested over $1.5 million in improvements to our downtown depot and the surrounding area to make it a year-round amenity. This investment has spurred additional plans for new restaurants and condos, but we are counting on the revival of daily passenger rail service to ignite our local economy - and it can't come soon enough. Besides boosting our economy with regular rail travelers, we also understand the importance of rail as a means of evacuation during times of disaster.”
Mayor Steve Demetropoulos, Pascagoula:
“The City of Pascagoula is thrilled about the return of Amtrak. Not only will the stop in Pascagoula be wonderful for our residents, it will also give tourists an opportunity to see what we have to offer. There are a lot of exciting developments happening in downtown Pascagoula and Amtrak’s return is another great step forward in our revitalization efforts.”
Milton Segarra, CEO of Coastal Mississippi:
“We are very much looking forward to the introduction of a passenger rail service that would not only connect our 12 coastal communities, but further connect Coastal Mississippi with our neighboring destinations of Mobile and New Orleans. The proposed rail services would have an immense economic impact on not only our region, but on the entire state. Coastal Mississippi offers such a variety of unique experiences, and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors from our neighboring states.”