Wicker Statement on Progress Toward Restoration of Gulf Coast Rail

November 10, 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement regarding a letter sent from the CEOs of Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority to the Surface Transportation Board, in which they jointly expressed their opinion that substantial progress toward an agreement to restore passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile has been made. The CEOs see a “substantial probability that a settlement will be reached as discussions continue,” with the parties expecting to report on progress again on November 21.

“I am glad the CEOs feel that negotiations are progressing and an agreement is in sight,” Wicker said. “After more than 17 years, residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast deserve to have Amtrak service restored as soon as possible. I appreciate the time invested by the Surface Transportation Board to keep this matter a priority, and I remain hopeful that Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Port of Mobile will use this second mediation period granted by the Board to resolve this matter.”