Train Service

BILOXI, MS

The Biloxi City Council will consider a resolution to bring passenger train service back to the Mississippi Coast. The idea is to bring the old Sunset Limited route back to South Mississippi.

Right now on the coast, train service is exclusively the transportation of freight. The city of Biloxi points out that the Gulf Coast is isolated from the nation's passenger train system. Until 2005, Amtrak's Sunset Limited rolled from Florida to Los Angeles. Then everyone east of New Orleans was taken off the track.

"Since Hurricane Katrina, they've repaired the tracks. You see freight service every day along the Coast. Our question is why not go ahead and restore Amtrak service?" said City Spokesman Vincent Creel.

Biloxi's transportation complex serves as a hub for Coast Transit Authority buses and Greyhound. Creel said passenger service could be good for tourism, including the casino industry and offer Coast residents another transportation option.

"This would be super, not only for our coast people, but it would be great for people coming from Florida or from the west of us."

The mayor of Tallahassee, Florida contacted Biloxi on the matter. He points out that there are 13 stranded train stations along the Gulf Coast. This concept is in the preliminary stage, but it could pick up steam and restore the old Sunset Limited route along the Gulf Coast.