Amtrak, freight railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern and the Alabama State Port Authority issued a joint statement that they reached an agreement on rail service on the Gulf Coast Corridor. The agreement could lay the foundation for the eventual return of intercity passenger rail service between Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, La., that has been suspended since Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged rail infrastructure in August 2005.
The joint statement noted the agreement would “support passenger and freight service” in the corridor and explained the parties filed a motion with the Surface Transportation Board for the case to be held in abeyance – effectively suspended – while the parties implement the conditions of the agreement.
“Due to the confidential nature of the settlement agreement, the parties are not able to provide further comment on its terms at this time. We thank the federal mediators appointed by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for their work on this effort,” the statement concluded.
The motion filed with the STB is redacted but included that the terms of the agreement, when fully implemented, would resolve the proceedings. The motion noted the terms would take several months to complete.
STB approved the motion on Nov. 22 and requested the parties file a notice with the board when the terms of the agreement have been fulfilled or file a joint status report by June 30, 2023.
STB Chairman Martin J. Oberman noted the board appreciated the efforts of the parties and credited the new leadership of CSX and Norfolk Southern for what Oberman believes was a “fresh constructive approach” to the situation.
“The settlement of this case will hasten the return of passenger rail operations in the Gulf. This will result in a substantial public benefit by providing a public transportation option for Gulf Coast residents and visitors alike and will have a positive impact on the economy of the region. I look forward to the parties informing us of the specific infrastructure improvements that will be made to the rail network as a result of the settlement,” said Oberman.
In reaction to the agreement, Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews reflected on the efforts to restore passenger rail to the Gulf Coast Corridor.
“We’ve been fighting to return passenger trains to the Gulf Coast since it was knocked offline by Hurricane Katrina,” said Mathews. “That 17-year journey has been filled with obstacles and frustration but also moments of joy, where local champions and national advocates were able to come together around the vision of a more connected Gulf Coast region. An agreement to return service would, first and foremost, be a justification of the grit and dedication shown by those people and a validation of our vision.”
Mathews credited U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and the Southern Rail Commission for their leadership in advocating for the return of passenger rail service to the corridor.
Sen. Wicker called the agreement “a long overdue win” for Mississippi’s Gulf Coast residents and businesses.
“This decision demonstrates what I have long believed — that freight and passenger rail can thrive together,” he said. “I look forward to riding Amtrak to stations in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula again soon.”
