Amtrak's $15 Mardi Gras Service Starts, Midwest Cuts

Published on Aug 18, 2025, 11:55 am CDT

5 min read

Amtrak's new Mardi Gras Service begins today with twice-daily trains linking New Orleans and Mobile along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with starter fares from $15. The launch restores passenger rail to the corridor for the first time in nearly 20 years, adding a budget-friendly Gulf Coast train option. At the same time, Midwest cancellations and schedule changes continue this week on selected Illinois and Michigan routes, affecting travelers through Chicago Union Station.

Key Points

Why it matters: The Mardi Gras Service adds a low-cost Gulf Coast train connection, boosting regional mobility and tourism.
Travel impact: Illinois Carl Sandburg 381 and 382 are suspended through August 20, with Wolverine and Hiawatha adjustments ongoing.
What's next: Baton Rouge gets a connecting bus to New Orleans today, with long term plans for passenger rail under study.
$15 starter fares apply end to end, with additional everyday discounts for families, seniors, students, and military.
Café, Wi-Fi, pets in carriers, and Business Class are offered on the new route.

Snapshot

The Mardi Gras Service runs morning and evening in both directions between New Orleans and Mobile, stopping at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Adult coach fares start at $15 each way, with lower prices for shorter segments and standard Amtrak discounts available. Amtrak celebrated with an inaugural train on August 16 for officials and partners, and says interest is strong for football weekends and peak seasons. Travelers from Baton Rouge can use a new Amtrak-branded Greyhound connection beginning August 18 to reach New Orleans trains. In the Midwest, Amtrak lists ongoing suspensions for select Illinois and Michigan services, plus temporary schedule changes for Hiawatha and Borealis, and an access detour at Chicago Union Station during a street project.

Background

Gulf Coast intercity rail last ran before Hurricane Katrina in 2005. After years of negotiations, funding agreements among Louisiana, Mississippi, the City of Mobile, and federal partners enabled the twice-daily Mardi Gras Service to start this summer. Amtrak frames the route as a feeder to its long distance network via New Orleans, with timed connections to the City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited. The corridor also serves coastal tourism markets in Mississippi and regional trips for residents. In the Midwest, Amtrak has faced criticism from elected officials over notice and handling of summer suspensions tied to maintenance and equipment availability, with calls to coordinate closely with the Illinois Department of Transportation and to minimize service gaps. Travelers should check advisories before heading to the station.

Latest Developments

$15 Gulf Coast train debuts with twice-daily departures

Starting August 18, Amtrak operates two daily Mardi Gras Service trains in each direction between New Orleans and Mobile. Coach fares start at $15, and the trains offer Café service featuring regional items, free Wi-Fi, generous carry-on allowances, pets in carriers by reservation, and an optional Business Class. Amtrak highlighted same-day connections in New Orleans to the City of New Orleans for Chicago, and next-day links to the Crescent for Atlanta and New York, and the Sunset Limited for Houston and Los Angeles. Local leaders in Louisiana and Mississippi, along with the Southern Rail Commission and freight partners, backed the return of service. Interest surged around the ceremonial inaugural ride on August 16, with sold out trips reported for the first public day of service on August 18.

Midwest cancellations and schedule changes this week

Amtrak's Midwest advisories list several adjustments. Carl Sandburg trains 381 and 382, which link Chicago and Quincy, are suspended through August 20. Hiawatha Service, the Chicago to Milwaukee corridor, is operating on a modified timetable July 21 through August 24, while Borealis trains 1333 and 1340 have schedule changes from July 21. In Michigan, Wolverine trains 350 and 353 remain suspended through October 30 amid ongoing work. Chicago Union Station access is temporarily altered due to a city street project extending into fall 2025, and passengers should follow posted wayfinding. These Midwest cancellations and alterations reflect seasonal maintenance and operating constraints, and riders should verify their exact train status before departure.

Analysis

For travelers, the new Gulf Coast train creates a practical, inexpensive alternative to driving Interstate 10, especially for weekend getaways to coastal Mississippi or day trips between Mobile and New Orleans. The $15 starter fare undercuts typical gas and parking costs for solo travelers, and the on board amenities, including Wi-Fi and a Café, support remote work or leisure. The Baton Rouge bus connection launching today widens the catchment area and signals Louisiana's intent to extend passenger rail north to the Capital Region. As Amtrak positions the route within its broader network, reliable connections to the City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited can amplify demand by enabling through-ticketed trips.

The Midwest story is more mixed. Cancellations on Carl Sandburg and Wolverine segments, plus shifting Hiawatha and Borealis schedules, complicate planning, particularly for commuters and college travelers. Political pressure in Illinois to improve notice and reduce service gaps underscores the importance of coordination among Amtrak, state DOTs, and freight hosts. Short term, riders should build buffer time, consider alternate departures, or use substitute buses when offered. Longer term, fleet upgrades and corridor investments are critical to cut recurring disruptions. Until then, checking advisories the evening before and morning of travel remains essential.

Final Thoughts

The juxtaposition is clear. Along the Gulf, new capacity arrives with a $15 price tag and simple, twice-daily rhythms. In the Midwest, maintenance windows and equipment constraints continue to bite. If the Mardi Gras Service proves reliable through fall events and holiday travel, it can build the case for Baton Rouge rail and other Southern corridors, while Chicago-area riders will expect steadier operations after the current work wraps. For now, celebrate the new ride, and verify the Midwest before you go. Amtrak Mardi Gras Service.