Wednesday, May 21, 2025

The state-sponsored Borealis train service running daily between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois, has demonstrated exceptional demand in its inaugural full year of operation, far surpassing initial projections. Managed by Amtrak under partnerships with the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, the Borealis line has quickly become a vital transportation artery for travelers across the Upper Midwest, reflecting a growing preference for efficient, comfortable, and scenic rail travel.

From May 2024 through April 2025, Borealis trains carried over two hundred and five thousand passengers in just eleven months, a figure that highlights the service’s immediate success. This remarkable ridership complements the overall performance of the St. Paul to Chicago corridor, which also includes the long-established Amtrak Empire Builder service. Together, these trains recorded combined ridership exceeding two hundred ninety-three thousand passengers during the same period — an astonishing increase of two hundred twenty-seven percent compared with the previous year’s data spanning May 2023 to April 2024.

“Amtrak is proud to celebrate a successful first year of the Borealis – and it’s only going to improve next year and beyond,” said . “Thanks to strong collaboration with our partners, we have exceeded expectations and provided a reliable, efficient, and safe way to travel between the Twin Cities and Chicago via Milwaukee.”

“One year ago, we introduced a new, state-funded, intercity passenger rail service to Minnesota. Today, we are happy to share that the service has exceeded so many of our expectations, with ridership surpassing projections,” said . “The ridership numbers clearly demonstrate the need to have safe, reliable transportation options for Minnesotans, and we hope to continue building on its early success.”

“WisDOT is proud to celebrate this milestone moment for passenger rail in our state,” said . “When the Borealis launched in May 2024, it was the first passenger rail service expansion in Wisconsin in more than two decades. The train has since become a resounding success story and the ridership data reflects that. It provides a transportation alternative for people living in smaller Wisconsin communities and a new way for Wisconsinites to explore big cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities.

“We will continue to work with our partners to explore more safe and reliable passenger rail options in Wisconsin,” Boardman added.

“The demand for convenient, reliable passenger rail in Illinois always has been strong, but the early success of the Borealis line shows that appetite extends beyond our borders and throughout the Midwest,” said . “We look forward to working with our partner states on ways to strengthen service in the years ahead and explore future opportunities to offer more travel options for our residents and visitors.”

The impressive ridership numbers underscore a renewed interest in intercity rail options in the region. This surge is attributed to multiple factors: the convenience of daily service, competitive pricing with targeted discounts for various passenger groups, and an emphasis on passenger comfort and experience. The growth in ridership has been consistent across numerous stations along the route, spanning key cities and smaller towns alike, signaling a broadening base of support and reliance on this rail link.

Unlike previous services, which limited Wisconsin stops primarily to the Amtrak Hiawatha trains, the Borealis has expanded access by stopping at additional locations such as Milwaukee Airport and Sturtevant, offering more travel options and improving regional connectivity. Notably, this expansion has attracted new travelers who previously had limited rail access in their communities.

Examining ridership by station reveals the breadth of the service’s appeal. At the origin point in St. Paul, the Borealis recorded over one hundred six thousand passengers, while the Empire Builder contributed an additional forty-five thousand, totaling nearly one hundred fifty-two thousand travelers boarding or alighting in the Minnesota capital region. Chicago, the bustling terminus, registered the highest combined ridership, with one hundred eighty-four thousand passengers utilizing the corridor.

Mid-route stations have also witnessed significant growth. For instance, La Crosse, Wisconsin, saw a combined total exceeding thirty-four thousand riders, while Milwaukee registered close to eighty-four thousand, including over eleven thousand at Milwaukee Airport—a stop newly served by the Borealis trains. Other Wisconsin stops such as Wisconsin Dells and Columbus recorded steadily increasing passenger volumes, illustrating the line’s penetration into popular tourist and regional destinations.

The smaller stations, including Red Wing, Winona, Tomah, Portage, and Sturtevant, have not been overlooked. Each has recorded solid ridership gains, reflecting the Borealis train’s ability to serve both metropolitan and rural communities along its path effectively.

The Borealis trains operate from St. Paul in the midday hours and depart Chicago in the late morning, providing convenient scheduling for both business travelers and leisure passengers. The service boasts a variety of customer-friendly features designed to enhance the journey. Amtrak extends daily discounts to children aged two to twelve, students, seniors, veterans, active military personnel, families, and groups, making rail travel more accessible and economical for diverse demographics.

Onboard, travelers enjoy spacious seating arrangements, with wide reclining seats that include generous legroom and the absence of middle seats, ensuring comfort throughout the journey. The scenic route alongside the Mississippi River, particularly the stretch between St. Paul and La Crosse, offers passengers captivating views in both travel directions, adding an element of natural beauty to the trip.

The café car onboard emphasizes regional culinary delights, giving riders a taste of local flavors as they travel. This unique feature not only adds to the passenger experience but also supports local producers and reflects the cultural richness of the corridor.

The successful launch and rapid growth of the Borealis train service signal a broader shift in regional transportation preferences. As environmental concerns increase and urban congestion worsens, rail travel offers a sustainable alternative that reduces road traffic and carbon emissions. The cooperation between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois to sponsor this line demonstrates a shared commitment to investing in infrastructure that supports economic growth, tourism, and community connectivity.

The corridor’s growth also aligns with national trends promoting rail expansion as part of the United States’ transportation future. Enhanced intercity rail services reduce dependence on cars and airplanes for short- and medium-distance travel, which in turn mitigates congestion and improves overall mobility for citizens.

With demand continuing to outpace early expectations, the Borealis train service is poised for potential expansions and enhancements. Transportation authorities are exploring options to increase frequency, add more stops, or upgrade onboard amenities to accommodate rising passenger volumes. Moreover, opportunities exist to further integrate the service with regional transit systems to provide seamless door-to-door travel solutions.

The demonstrated ridership growth also makes a compelling case for additional investment in rail infrastructure and marketing efforts to attract new users. Enhanced awareness campaigns and partnerships with tourism boards may unlock further potential by encouraging travelers to explore destinations along the route.

The Borealis train’s first full year has proven that well-planned, state-supported rail services can thrive in the Upper Midwest, meeting the evolving needs of modern travelers. The remarkable ridership growth, coupled with high passenger satisfaction, positions the Borealis as a flagship example of successful rail revitalization. As it continues to connect St. Paul, Chicago, and communities in between, the service is shaping a more sustainable, convenient, and enjoyable transportation future for the region.