Y’all aboard
Trains from New Orleans to Mobile are twice as popular as expected
Amtrak's new New Orleans-to-Mobile Mardi Gras service is blowing past its ridership targets, adding steam to a long-discussed push to extend passenger rail to Baton Rouge.
Why it matters: The route launched in August with a first-year ridership goal of 71,000. This week, Amtrak celebrated its 100,000th rider—putting it on pace to double initial projections in year one.
Why it's working: The formula isn't complicated.
- No driving required.
- Stations sit close to downtowns, putting riders steps from restaurants, bars, hotels and events.
- Fares run around $30 or less one way—cheap, especially against the cost of gas and parking in New Orleans.
- The ride is pleasant, with a café car serving food and drinks. Tito’s is the top-selling drink.
Mukul Verma
What's next: Knox Ross of the Southern Rail Commission tells RedEye that Amtrak and the commission are pushing to extend the route to Baton Rouge. He says the resources are in place, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation is studying the corridor using a Federal Railroad Administration grant.
The backstory: A Baton Rouge-New Orleans rail link has been studied for years, with support from federal and state officials. The current plan envisions twice-daily service originating in Mid City on Government Street, with stops at the Baton Rouge health corridor on Bluebonnet, Gonzales, LaPlace, the New Orleans airport and the Amtrak station near the Superdome.
The catch: Gov. Jeff Landry must sign off for the project to advance. His Department of Transportation did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
