An Amtrak train moves through Pascagoula's downtown in March 2023 (Photo by Frank Corder | Magnolia Tribune)
- By the first anniversary of the return of passenger rail on the Mississippi Coast this month, passengers had purchased 150,000 tickets—more than doubling initial estimates.
Passenger rail returned to the Gulf Coast a year ago, and what a success it has been. Demand has shattered expectations. Officials hoped to sell 71,000 tickets in the line’s first 12 months. Within 90 days, they had already sold half that. By the first anniversary this month, passengers had purchased 150,000 tickets—more than doubling initial estimates. Those customers leave satisfied, too. Amtrak records a Customer Service Index, and our Mardi Gras Service regularly earns high scores.
Riders Embraced Mardi Gras Service
The world has taken note. Global outlets like The New York Times and The Independent dispatched travel writers to our coast. The reporters chronicled their experiences on the train, but more importantly they profiled the Mississippi communities that dot the 145-mile ride from Mobile to New Orleans. Mardi Gras Service stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis, and riders regularly disembark at these Mississippi stations.
The excitement has not only come from big, fancy newspapers. It has also been grassroots. A Facebook group called “Friends of Amtrak – Mardi Gras Service” boasts 38,000 members. Customers share tips about parking and directions and then enthusiastically share photos from their journeys. This month, commenters took to the page to wish Mardi Gras Service a happy first birthday.
Leaders Devoted to Continuous Improvement
There are several reasons for this widespread customer satisfaction. One is predictability. Old Gulf Coast train lines ran inconsistently and at odd hours. Mardi Gras Service flows twice a day at the same time. Another is convenience. Saints football fans appreciate the chance to leave the car at home and avoid game-day traffic. Customers also appreciate the pleasant environment on the train. Seats are spacious and come equipped with power outlets, a desk, and plenty of space for luggage.
We are committed to maintaining this level of excellence, including by quickly addressing any problems that arise. For example, Mardi Gras Services’ punctuality record was outstanding for its first ten months, but it dipped beginning this June. We can attribute some of the tardiness to Mississippi’s summer temperatures. Hot tracks require operators to lower speeds. But this challenge also stems from the difficulties of coordinating freight and passenger trains on the same tracks. I am working together with all stakeholders—Amtrak, freight rail lines, and local governments—to find solutions and return to stellar timeliness levels.
Rail Expands Opportunity for Mississippi
The first-year results from the Mardi Gras Service tell a story of success for the Gulf Coast, but they are a part of a bigger story in Mississippi. Gulf Coast passenger rail creates jobs—directly for staff and indirectly for the vendors at each stop. It draws tourists, who see the line itself as an attraction—not just their destination. It provides a new connection with our neighbors to the east and west, facilitating new commercial activity.
The best news is that these trends are not unique to Gulf Coast passenger rail. I see them all over our state, as new businesses invest in Mississippi, as our colleges and universities equip the next generation, and as visitors flock to see for themselves what the Magnolia State has to offer.
