USDOT urges STB to approve Amtak’s petition to restore Gulf Coast service

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are calling on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to approve Amtrak’s application to begin restoring passenger-rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.

In a letter sent yesterday to the STB, USDOT Acting General Counsel John Putnam urged the STB to “act expeditiously” on Amtrak’s application to provide the twice-daily service between the New Orleans and Mobile. The Gulf Coast service also calls for additional stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast has been suspended since Hurricane Katrina damaged rail infrastructure there in 2005.

Amtrak announced earlier this year that it intended to restore service between New Orleans and Mobile next year. But the railroad’s plans have stalled due to a dispute with CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway, the host railroads that own the track on which Amtrak trains would operate.

Putnam’s letter confirms President Joe Biden’s support for expansion and improvement of intercity passenger-rail service through efforts such as restoration of Gulf Coast service. The FRA has worked “closely” with Amtrak, CSX, NS and other stakeholders since 2015 to restore Gulf Coast passenger-rail service, Putnam wrote.

“Unfortunately, despite an extended period of examination and the investment of significant funds, Amtrak has been unable to obtain the agreement of the host freight railroads, and there is no clear or imminent path to the restoration of this service, absent the board’s intercession,” Putnam wrote.

The letter outlines efforts by the FRA and the railroads to study the impact of restoring the service, including the necessary capital improvements to infrastructure. Despite those efforts, the parties involved have not been able to agree on restarting the service.

“The [USDOT] stands ready to work with Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and other
stakeholders to perform the work necessary to restore Gulf Coast service, which is long overdue,” Putnam wrote. “We ask the board to give careful and prompt consideration to Amtrak’s petition, and we will be glad to provide any additional information or resources that would aid in the board’s decision-making process.”

Putnam’s full letter may be read here.

Amtrak responded to Putnam’s letter by issuing the following statement: “The FRA’s letter speaks for itself. Amtrak looks forward to the STB rendering a speedy decision.”