DOT 119-05
Friday, September 2, 2005
Contact: Brain Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570


Department of Transportation Arranges for Amtrak to Begin Evacuating Residents from New Orleans Starting Tonight

Passenger trains will join the growing number of buses and aircraft being used to evacuate residents from New Orleans starting as early as midnight tonight, Friday, September 2, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today. The special twelve-car Amtrak passenger train is heading to New Orleans from Baton Rouge and should arrive in the city to begin loading passengers later in the evening, the Secretary added.

The train is expected to arrive at the Avondale Rail Yard, on the south side of the Mississippi River at approximately 11 p.m. (CDT) and will be able to carry 600 passengers. Buses belonging to the New Orleans Regional Transit Administration will transport residents from the city to the rail yard where they will be provided with water, MREs and a train ride out of the city, Mineta said.

“We have clear tracks and an empty train ready to help get residents safely out of the city,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “Amtrak gives us yet another way to help move people so we can get the job done as quickly, comfortably and reliably as possible.”

The Department arranged for water and MREs to be loaded onto the train before it left for New Orleans and is arranging for more food and water to be distributed to passengers in Lafayette, Louisiana where the train will stop. In Lafayette, passengers will transfer to motor coaches that will complete the journey to Dallas, Texas, and other nearby states.

In addition to tonight’s expected run, the Department is working with Amtrak to operate two more train runs out of New Orleans’ Avondale Rail Yard on Saturday, September 3rd. By Monday, Amtrak will have two trains in place, which will allow for a total of four runs that day. The trains will continue operating beyond that time for as long as needed, the Secretary added.

The Secretary noted that the Department has been working with Amtrak, the American Association of Railroads, major freight operators and other federal agencies including the Department’s Office of the Inspector General to arrange for the routing, supplies and security to be made available for the train evacuation.