Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

1 minute read

July 3, 2025, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

The new service will offer daily trips betwen Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans with stops in several Mississippi cities. | Amtrak / Mardi Gras Line

A new Amtrak service will link Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans for the first time in almost 20 years, reports Lance Traweek in New Orleans City Business. “The new state-supported route will offer morning and evening departures from both Mobile and New Orleans, connecting key Mississippi cities including Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis.” 

The service, dubbed the Mardi Gras Service, launches on August 18. “Passengers will be able to make same-day connections to Amtrak’s City of New Orleans line to Chicago and next-day transfers to the Crescent line to New York and the Sunset Limited to Los Angeles.”

The service is funded by the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, the city of Mobile, and USDOT grants.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in New Orleans City Business

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing