Tickets at the moment are on sale for Amtrak’s new twice-daily intercity service between Cell, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, with stops alongside the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

In response to a information launch, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, set to start Aug. 18, marks the return of passenger rail to the area for the primary time in almost 20 years.

The brand new state-supported route will provide morning and night departures from each Cell and New Orleans, connecting key Mississippi cities together with Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis. Coach fares begin at $15 a technique for end-to-end journeys, with decrease fares for shorter distances and reductions obtainable for youngsters, college students, seniors, navy personnel, and numerous group vacationers.

“We encourage clients to get their tickets now to expertise this new, snug, and scenic service, and have the primary alternative to journey by prepare on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in almost 20 years,” Amtrak President Roger Harris mentioned in a information launch. “Company can plan journey for soccer journeys this fall, for November and December vacation journey – and even Mardi Gras Season subsequent 12 months.”

The brand new service will characteristic Coach and Enterprise Class seating, onboard Café service with regionally sourced gadgets, free Wi-Fi, and beneficiant carry-on baggage allowances. The trains may also accommodate golf luggage with advance reservations and permit pets in carriers.

Passengers will be capable of make same-day connections to Amtrak’s Metropolis of New Orleans line to Chicago and next-day transfers to the Crescent line to New York and the Sundown Restricted to Los Angeles.

An Inaugural Practice journey on Aug. 16 will rejoice the service’s launch with public officers and stakeholders. Extra schedule particulars will probably be launched later in July.

The Mardi Gras Service is a state-sponsored route funded by the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, with assist from the Metropolis of Cell and grants from the U.S. Division of Transportation. It joins a community of 31 state-supported routes Amtrak operates in partnership with 23 states and businesses.