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Amtrak and Mobile officials report strong ridership and safety focus for restored Gulf Coast service
Summary
Amtrak and Mobile officials told the committee the Gulf Coast passenger service (referred to in the transcript as "Marty Gro") has exceeded early ridership expectations, reached roughly 100,000 boardings, shows high on-time performance and customer satisfaction, and will receive federal operating and capital support while safety measures around crossings remain a focus.
City of Mobile and Amtrak officials briefed the Joint Transportation Oversight Committee on the restored Gulf Coast passenger service, reported strong early ridership and described federal funding and upcoming capital work with host railroads.
Steven McNair, director of policy and legislative affairs (representing the City of Mobile), introduced the item and turned the presentation to Amtrak. Todd Stenis, Amtrak’s director of government affairs for the Southeast, gave the operational overview and safety briefing. Stenis opened with a safety message for crossings and highlighted an 800 emergency notification number for railroad crossings so dispatchers can be alerted immediately if a vehicle becomes stuck on the track.
Amtrak provided ridership and performance figures: the service began in August 2025 and, according to the presentation, surpassed 100,000 boardings in roughly eight months (the presenter said the program had reached about 98,000 as of April 14 and crossed the 100,000 mark the following week). Average daily ridership was given as about 413 passengers, with coach fares averaging just under $30 and business class just under $70. On‑time performance and customer satisfaction numbers presented were notably strong, with initial terminal departure punctuality cited near 97% and other operational measures above 85%.
The presentation explained the funding structure for short‑distance, state‑supported routes under federal policy and described the Restoration & Enhancement (R&E) grant program that covers a share of operating costs on a step‑down federal match over six years. The presenter said Louisiana, Mississippi and the City of Mobile matched initial years of operating support for the service. Amtrak also described a capital program negotiated with host railroads that would include more than $200 million in projects on the CSX mainline to improve dispatching and schedule fluidity.
Committee members asked about travel times, speed and safety. The committee was told the end‑to‑end run from Mobile to New Orleans is about three hours and 45 minutes in the current schedule; Stenis said trains operate up to 79 mph in open territory. On safety, committee members noted several incidents since the service began; Stenis said the crossings involved had active warning devices (lights, gates or both) and emphasized a continued messaging campaign, coordination with host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, and planned crossing upgrades as parts of the capital work.
On expansion questions—specifically about a possible Birmingham connection—Stenis and presenters said discussions are ongoing at the Federal Railroad Administration and with regional rail commissions; any westward extension from Meridian would be an early-stage evaluation and not yet at the Amtrak operational decision level.
Stenis invited committee members to ride the service and reiterated booking options via Amtrak’s website, app or phone lines. The presenters framed the early ridership and high customer satisfaction as evidence of community and economic benefits to the Gulf Coast cities served.
The update closed after question-and-answer exchanges and committee members expressed interest in a possible committee trip to experience the service.
