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.

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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.

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More talk but no action as Mobile city council considers Amtrak service

Members of the Mobile City Council remained focused on its potential funding obligation to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service at a Monday meeting with Amtrak representatives, WKRG-TV reports.

Representatives of the passenger operator, as well as CSX, the Southern Rail Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration were on hand for a meeting of the council’s Economic, Cultural and Civic Development Committee — the first time Amtrak has been before the council in more than for years, AL.com reports. The meeting saw committee members express concern over a city commitment to provide over $3 million in operating funding for the Mobile-New Orleans trains over the first three years of operation, and the potential ongoing commitment after that period. The states of Louisiana and Mississippi have pledged to back the train under Amtrak’s state-supported operating provisions, but Alabama has left Mobile responsible for its own funding.

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New Gulf Coast Amtrak route awaiting decision from Mobile officials

The restoration of Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast is still planned, but city of Mobile officials are balking at the three-year, $3 million subsidy required by the service.

City officials have yet to approve operating and lease agreements with the passenger rail service that would commence twice-daily service connecting Mobile with New Orleans with stops on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The Mobile City Council's Economic, Cultural & Civic Development Development Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the status of Amtrak in the Port City. The city needs a layover track for Amtrak trains and a platform for passengers.

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Everything you need to know about Amtrak’s return to Mobile City Council for first time since 2020

Amtrak officials will return before the Mobile City Council for the first time Tuesday in four years and three months -- 1,575 days -- to talk about the Gulf Coast project and continue to seek support for it.

The council’s Economic, Cultural & Civic Development Committee will meet at 1 p.m. with Amtrak officials to discuss the project.

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Mobile’s Amtrak decision could affect $178.4 million federal grant: rail representative

The Mobile City Council’s decision on whether to subsidize the revival of an Amtrak connection to New Orleans, bringing passenger rail back to the Port City for the first time in 19 years, could have a much bigger financial impact than the $3.1 million city taxpayers are being asked to contribute.

According to the head of the Southern Rail Commission, if the council declines to support the operations of the Gulf Coast line, it could jeopardize a $178.4 million federal grant awarded last fall to Amtrak for improvements along the Gulf Coast.

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Mobile city leaders to consider funding Amtrak’s return

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) — There are still two more contracts that must be approved before passenger rail service is restored on the Gulf Coast. The Mobile City Council must approve a land use agreement for the temporary platform by Cooper Riverside Park, and council members must approve an operational agreement.

"The operating agreement actually has the financial component to it. And it's $3,048,000 for a three year period," said Mayor Sandy Stimpson.