GULFPORT – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., highlighted the economic importance of Amtrak services returning to the Gulf Coast region. He was joined in downtown Gulfport by Mayor Billy Hewes and local stakeholders. They visited the future Gulfport Amtrak stop and a number of local businesses that are expected to benefit.

Senator Wicker has used his position as Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee to champion the return of passenger rail to the Gulf Coast. He expressed appreciation to local and state government officials and to the freight rail companies, CSX and Norfolk Southern.

After years of administrative delays and litigation, an agreement was reached to return Amtrak services to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

Scheduled to resume in 2025, the services are expected to provide economic growth opportunities, boost tourism, and reduce traffic on our roadways. Two trains will run roundtrip from New Orleans to Mobile with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.