STB wants parties to address Amtrak Gulf Coast matters prior to April hearing

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has directed Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and related parties to be prepared to address several issues at the April 4 evidentiary hearing on Amtrak’s proposal to introduce Gulf Coast intercity passenger-rail service.

At a preliminary hearing last month, the STB directed all the parties to contact the U.S. Coast Guard over the question of scheduling operations of movable bridges along the Gulf Coast corridor.

Yesterday, the board informed Amtrak, CSX, NS, the Alabama State Port Authority and its Terminal Railway-Alabama State Docks to report on their meeting with the Coast Guard, as well as to address a renewed request by Amtrak for access to certain NS lines.

The board’s announcement can be read here.

The April 4 evidentiary hearing will address Amtrak’s request that the STB require CSX and NS to allow passenger-rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. CSX and NS own the track that Amtrak would use to operate its service. The Class Is oppose Amtrak’s use of the line without certain conditions.

Amtrak hasn’t operated passenger-rail service along the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina damaged rail infrastructure there in 2005.