Councilman’s flip to support Amtrak puts passenger rail service return within reach

A shakeup in city council support for Amtrak’s return to Mobile would give Amtrak the necessary votes to pass the city council. District 6 Councilman Josh Woods pledged his support for the passenger rail service after historically being against the contract between the passenger rail service and the city.

Woods had previously been one of three council members to oppose Amtrak’s return, along with District 4 Councilman Ben Reynolds and District 5 Councilman Joel Daves. The contract would need a supermajority, five of seven votes to pass.

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Mobile reaches agreement with Amtrak on funding, lease at station site

Amtrak appears to be on the verge of an agreement with the City of Mobile that finally will allow Gulf Coast passenger service to move forward.

WALA-TV reports that a spokeswoman for Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the city and Amtrak had finalized language for a funding agreement for Mobile-New Orleans service and a lease needed for the train’s station stop in Mobile, and that a city councilman who had previously opposed funding now says he will support that agreement. That change appears to be enough to give the funding the five votes needed for council approval.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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