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Amtrak says Mardi Gras service is breaking ridership projections; urges attention to grade crossing safety
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Summary
Amtrak told the joint transportation committee the Mardi Gras service to Mobile exceeded ridership expectations—surpassing 80,000 riders within six months—and emphasized grade-crossing safety, saying most recent tragic incidents occurred where gates and lights were present and urging public use of the crossing ID 800 number.
Todd Stennis, Amtrak’s director of government affairs, told the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on March 9 that the fall 2025 start of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service between New Orleans and Mobile has outperformed expectations and that safety at grade crossings remains the company’s priority.
"We projected 76,000 riders in the first year," Stennis said, adding that "as of February 25, we were at 78,000 riders. It is safe to say that we have broken 80,000 riders already," and that the service is "extremely popular." Stennis described the service as two daily round trips stopping at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula and Mobile and said load factors and customer-service metrics are strong.
Stennis began with a safety briefing and urged officials and the public to use the federal ID placard posted at every grade crossing. "If you ever cross a railroad track, you'll see this blue placard there... there's an 800 number on it," he said, explaining callers can reach a railroad dispatcher who can stop rail traffic in the area.
On committee questioning about recent incidents, Chairman Connick asked whether there had been five accidents and fatalities. Stennis said the crossings involved generally had gates and lights in place (one exception) and described outreach his agency is coordinating with Operation Lifesaver and host railroads Norfolk Southern and CSX to improve public messaging and rail operating fluidity.
Stennis said the states and host railroads are matching federal grant funding (described as "north of $200,000,000" in the presentation) that will fund siding extensions and turnout improvements to allow faster, more fluid operations; he estimated those capital projects will shorten schedules as they are completed over the next three to four years. He also noted booking options (phone, app or amtrak.com) and invited members to ride the service.
Representative Boudreaux asked whether an app tied to the crossing identification placards is still in use; Stennis said he did not know and offered to follow up. The committee closed after routine business and adjourned.
