Join us to watch the STB’s hearing and talk with officials
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) will hold an evidentiary hearing regarding CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads blocking Amtrak from operating passenger trains between Mobile and New Orleans. For more than seven years, this important service has been discussed and repeatedly studied, including by a working group led for 18 months by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. The hearing will be live streamed into our meeting rooms in both Pascagoula and Bay St. Louis. Visual aids and interview opportunities will be available.
What: Media Availability with Amtrak representatives and SRC officials
When: Monday and Tuesday, April 4 & 5, Pascagoula, Miss., Opening statements from the parties are expected shortly after the hearing begins at 8:30 a.m. on 4/
Where: Pascagoula City Hall, 603 Watts Avenue, 39567, Council Chambers
WHEN: Wednesday (and Friday, if needed), April 6 & 8, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
WHERE: Bay St. Louis Longfellow Civic Center/Old Town Community Hall
(with parking garage), 122½ Court Street, 39520
Background: After more than five years of data-driven and federally led studies, Amtrak initiated a process before the STB in 2021 to require CSX and NS to permit the operation of two daily Amtrak trains between New Orleans and Mobile. Under STB procedures, CSX and NS will be required to provide Amtrak access to their railroads for this service or prove to the public why they cannot successfully host these trains in accordance with the law.
Amtrak, CSX, NS, SRC and others began work on returning service to the Gulf Coast in 2015, producing an FRA Gulf Coast Working Group plan in 2017 that laid out the necessary steps to beginning Amtrak service on the route and laying out potential improvements, many of which have been funded since 2019. Prior to service start, a station track at Mobile would need to be built and repairs made at stations, projects Amtrak has been pursuing during recent months.
Amtrak has a legal right to use this route, which has sufficient capacity to host these trains and up to $66 million in targeted improvements has been granted to support the new intercity passenger rail service along this line. These potential investments have been reviewed, approved and funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak and others.
