logo
Amtrak unveils name for new rail service from New Orleans to Mobile

Amtrak unveils name for new rail service from New Orleans to Mobile

Yahoo24-04-2025
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Amtrak has announced the name of its new rail service, which is set to bring passengers to and from New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.
On Thursday, Amtrak officials announced that the service, also making stops in Coastal Mississippi, will be called Amtrak Mardi Gras Service.
City of New Orleans announces Jazz Fest safety measures, traffic reminders
According to Amtrak, the rail service between New Orleans and Mobile will stop in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi; Gulfport, Mississippi; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Pascagoula, Mississippi.
'With the launch of the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, we are not just restoring a transportation link; we are celebrating the vibrant culture and community spirit of the Gulf Coast,' said Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Joe Donahue in a news release.
Southeast Louisiana law enforcement agencies to participate in Drug Take Back Day
The news release states that daily morning and evening departures in both directions will be available when the service starts, which is expected to be during the summer.
Amtrak officials said the trains are set to include reclining seats and carry-on bag options. Additional accommodations for golf bags and pets are also set to be available.Amtrak unveils name for new rail service from New Orleans to Mobile
Judge blocks Trump efforts to eliminate DEI in public schools
The NFL's most powerful piece of paper — the Draft Card
Utah immigration lawyer, who is a naturalized US citizen, ordered to self-deport
These US cities have the 'most polluted' air in the country, says new study
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Could old Acelas be a providential opportunity?
Could old Acelas be a providential opportunity?

Boston Globe

timean hour ago

  • Boston Globe

Could old Acelas be a providential opportunity?

After all, the 'FirstGen' Acelas can clearly handle the route, having served it for more than 20 years. Could Rhode Island or Massachusetts buy the soon-to-be-retired trainsets, slap some purple paint on them, and start a Providence-to-Boston shuttle? I emailed Amtrak's spokesperson, Jason Abrams, about the fate of the old Acelas. Here's what he said: 'Amtrak will decommission the FirstGen Acela trainsets per our current fleet decommissioning process, which includes disposing of the trainsets safely per all applicable regulations and allows for private organizations to acquire.' Advertisement As a great Rhode Islander once put it, that seems to mean Go ahead, tell me how dumb an idea it is seems so sensible for both states. Advertisement More, faster commuter rail service would help workers and businesses in Boston if Providence, with its lower-cost housing, was more accessible. And it would boost Rhode Island's economy to connect it with the economic engine of Boston. Amtrak trains do provide that speedy service now, but the timetable isn't very convenient for someone who wants to live in Providence and commute to Boston. Tickets are also often much more expensive than the T's $12.25 one-way fare. For instance, when I checked on Friday, the cheapest seat on Amtrak's 8:41 a.m. departure — the only one that gets you to South Station before 10 a.m. — was $53. And if you want to get to Boston before 9 a.m. on Amtrak, forget it — your only choice leaves Providence at 12:26 a.m. The downside of express commuter rail trains is that if they replace current Providence Line departures, the result would be fewer trains for commuters in suburban Massachusetts local stops. Trains that used to stop in Attleboro and Mansfield would speed through them instead. Adding new express departures on top of the existing schedule would solve that problem, but run into a different one — South Station's So Providence commuters probably shouldn't hold their breath. But hey, in another 20 years or so, when the new Acelas are nearing retirement… This is an excerpt from , a Globe Opinion newsletter about the future of transportation in the region. Sign up to . Advertisement Alan Wirzbicki is Globe deputy editor for editorials. He can be reached at

Amtrak's High-Speed NextGen Acela Ready To Roll
Amtrak's High-Speed NextGen Acela Ready To Roll

Forbes

time2 hours ago

  • Forbes

Amtrak's High-Speed NextGen Acela Ready To Roll

Amtrak's NextGen Acela Amtrak As a frequent rider on Amtrak's Acela, which connects the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., New York City, and Boston, I'm happy to announce that high-speed rail travel between Boston and Washington, DC is about to take a leap forward. On August 28,2025, after years of anticipation and delays, Amtrak will launch the NextGen Acela. It's a high-speed train, hopefully the first of many such improvements, as the US finally rolls out some high-speed rail capability. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel.' There are 28 brand new Amtrak trainsets entering service through 2027 that are being manufactured by Alstom. Five of the new trainsets will begin running on August 28, 2025, with the additional 23 trainsets joining the fleet through 2027. On board the NextGen Acela Amtrak High speed, in this case, is relative. While the new NextGen Acela is capable of running at speeds of up to 160 mph, that's only about 10 miles per hour faster than current Acela top speed. It remains to be seen how much faster the overall travel time will be between Boston and New York, for example, which currently clocks in at three hours and thirty minutes. In my forthcoming book, National Geographic's 100 Train Journeys of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Rides (published in October 2025), I cover high-speed trains around the world in places as diverse as China, Europe, and Japan. To compare with the NextGen Acela, the Shanghai Maglev train in China is currently the fastest train in operation, at 268 mph, but that's a record that's likely to be broken very soon (and already has been shattered in test runs of newer trains in Japan). Still, for those of us who live in the Northeast and ride the Acela with some frequency, this is good news. Amtrak's NextGen Acela Amtrak The NextGen Acela fleet was assembled at Alstom's facility in Hornell, NY, by Machinists Union workers, using components from over 180 suppliers across 29 states and creating approximately 15,000 U.S. jobs, according to Amtrak. The new NextGen Acela trains will offer 27% more seats per departure, a much-needed increase in capacity on trains that are often running at full capacity. In addition, they will have expanded weekday and weekend schedules. The new trains promise 'a first-class travel experience for every passenger,' says Amtrak, with ergonomically designed seats, expansive windows, more legroom, and USB ports and power outlets at every seat. The new trains will offer free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as reading lights. These amenities promise to take the Acela experience to another level, maybe a bit closer to the comforts found on European high-speed trains. Dining on board the Amtrak NextGen Acela Amtrak An enhanced on-board dining experience, with a selection of high-quality fresh food and beverages available in the new Cafe Acela, will also debut, with menus overseen by celebrity restaurateur Stephen Starr. 'NextGen Acela is more than a new train—it's an evolution of travel,' said Amtrak President Roger Harris. 'In just a few weeks, history will be made with the debut of NextGen Acela as we launch a new standard for American train travel.' Amtrak's Fleet Modernization NextGen Acela is part of Amtrak's broader fleet modernization plan, which includes new Amtrak Airo trains debuting on the Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, and East Coast routes. The company has more efficient long-distance locomotives and is promising upgraded interiors in Coaches, Dining Cars, Sleepers, and Sightseer Lounges, with new seat cushions, upholstery, lighting, and finishes. In the coming months, Amtrak will be operating both the current Acela equipment and the NextGen Acela trains as the new trains transition into the fleet. You can book NextGen Acela tickets on the Amtrak app, website and at station kiosks. The new trains will be gradually phased in over the next two years and run alongside the current Acela trains. Visit Amtrak for details. Forbes 3 Long-Distance Amtrak Routes That Make For An Unforgettable Rail Trip By Everett Potter

Why South Florida airports are seeing fewer travelers. Here are 5 takeaways
Why South Florida airports are seeing fewer travelers. Here are 5 takeaways

Miami Herald

time8 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

Why South Florida airports are seeing fewer travelers. Here are 5 takeaways

The Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports are seeing a decline in passenger numbers, signaling a potential slowdown in South Florida tourism. This decrease reflects broader economic and political factors impacting travel to the area. FULL STORY: Airports in South Florida see a shift in travel as tourists react to uncertainty Here are the highlights: Passenger decline at MIA: Miami International Airport saw a 1.4% drop in passengers during the first half of 2025, marking the first decline since 2017, excluding the pandemic year, with both domestic and international travel affected. Factors affecting tourism: The decline in visitors is attributed to various factors, including political tensions, new tariffs and immigration policies under the Trump administration, which have deterred travelers from key markets like Canada and Latin America. Impact on FLL: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport experienced an 11.1% decrease in passenger volume, influenced by reduced Canadian travel, relocation of Southwest Airlines' international services and temporary suspensions of flights to certain destinations. Economic implications: The drop in tourism is affecting local businesses, with Miami-Dade restaurants reporting poor summers and hotels shifting focus to luxury offerings to attract ultra-wealthy visitors amid declining occupancy rates. Outlook: Despite current challenges, there is optimism with new flight services being added by airlines like JetBlue, and MIA's ongoing $9 billion modernization program aimed at enhancing passenger capacity and experience. The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by Miami Herald journalists.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store