NEW ORLEANS — When two New Orleans-Mobile, Ala., round trips began on Aug. 18, 2025, many observers wondered whether the enthusiasm from the previous Saturday’s raucous inaugural events would translate into strong and sustained daily patronage.
Guess what? It did.
Southern Rail Commission and Amtrak personnel are celebrating the one-year anniversary of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service by announcing that the trains have more than doubled pre-launch estimates of 71,000 annual riders. First-year ridership is projected at more than 150,000. Along with staging media events along the route today (Aug. 18, 2026), the company is giving out commemorative pins, cups, and anniversary certificates to passengers on morning train Nos. 23 and 24.
Elements of success
The Mardi Gras’ early success has been previously reported [see “Trains’ top stories of 2025, No. 4: Mardi Gras service debuts,” Trains.com, Dec. 28, 2025, and “The Mardi Gras phenomenon,” Trains Magazine, May 2026]. Generally limited to two Amfleet II coaches and a cafe/business class Amfleet I, the trains immediately filled a public transportation void. Tourist bureau promotion helped drive customers, many from out of the region or the country, while friendly crews exuding a local flavor made everyone aboard feel welcome…