Train — When complete, the route will give Mobilians easier access to Bham, too. (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

Mobile’s biggest “will they, won’t they” has officially turned into a plan of action—passenger rail is making a comeback along the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Mobile City Council greenlit resolutions that put a plan in motion for Amtrak to make a return—and we have the details.

City Council approval

Gm&Amp;O Historic Train Station In Downtown Mobile — GM&O Historic Train Station in downtown Mobile. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

In its first meeting in the month of August, the Mobile City Council approved a trio of resolutions that laid the foundation for Amtrak’s return to passenger rail service in Alabama.

These are the resolutions, as they appeared on the City Council’s agenda:

Authorize Funding Agreement with National Railroad Passenger Corporation for Gulf Coast rail service
Authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with the Alabama State Port Authority for Amtrak Gulf Coast Service Project
Authorize agreement with National Railroad Passenger Corporation for Gulf Coast rail service

All three passed with flying colors—but what does it mean?

In short, funding for the project was officially secured—with Amtrak and the Port Authority chipping in a total of $4M over three years. The Council also approved a lease for a property that will house the future train platform.

Also in the resolutions is a clause that the city has no financial responsibility to the line after three years. Any governmental funding needed after that needs to come from another source.

Concerns that passenger rail service could interrupt Port operations prompted a clause that would terminate Amtrak’s lease if more than four trains (two eastbound, two westbound) operated during a single day. This decision, coupled with now-obligated rail line improvements, prompted two holdout Council members to vote yes.