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MEDIA ADVISORY: Gulf Coast Rail Restoration Briefing in Mobile

July 11, 2019

Rail Passengers Association To Take Part in Hearing on Returning Trains to Gulf Coast

For Immediate Release (19-11)

Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001

Who: Southern Rail Commission, Rail Passengers Association, Amtrak

What: Briefing on Mobile to New Orleans Regional Passenger Rail Service Friday July 12th, 2019

When: 9am–12pm

Where: Mobile, Alabama | Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, Room 202 AB

Mobile, AL—The Rail Passengers Association will take part in a July 12th briefing on restoring Gulf Coast regional passenger rail service between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana. The briefing, hosted in Mobile by the Southern Rail Commission, will also present information on recently awarded federal rail grants associated with this proposed service.

Rail Passengers President Jim Mathews will be on hand to talk about success stories in state-supported rail services. Mathews will highlight the return on investment experienced by rail-served communities, looking at the direct and indirect benefits experienced by local businesses and regional economies.

The briefing, provided primarily for Alabama officials, will provide facts, details, methods, and professionally-assessed considerations on needs, impacts, costs, and benefits of bringing daily intercity passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans.

The agenda will include presentations from Amtrak, Rail Passengers Association, Transportation for America, and the Southern Rail Commission. Topics will include:

  • Amtrak service summary for Mobile to New Orleans
  • Economic benefits
  • Examples of success – case studies of select existing passenger services
  • Federal Rail Grants summary regarding infrastructure and operations
    • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) Grant Application in support of needed infrastructure improvements
    • Restoration & Enhancements (R&E) grant program which provides federal support for the initial three years of regional train service

Ample time will be available for detailed discussions, questions, and answers.

Members of the media will be provided a focused time for Q&A following the briefing.

For more information, contact:

Wiley Blankenship | Southern Rail Commission - (251) 436-8822 - [email protected]

Bob Brady | Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001

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