CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Borealis reached the 250,000-passenger milestone during the July 4th holiday weekend, the passenger operator has announced.
The train, funded by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, launched in May 2024. It continues to exceed initial passenger estimates, carring more than 18,500 passengers in its first month and reaching 100,000 riders in just 22 weeks [see “Amtrak’s Borealis hits 100,000-passenger mark …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 25, 2024]. The 250,000-rider figure came shortly after the train completed its 13th month of operation, meaning it is averaging more than 19,000 riders per month.
“Some of these guests have never before used Amtrak,” the company’s president, Roger Harris, said in a press release. “Now all of them can enjoy the benefits of train travel while avoiding the long drive on Interstate 94.”
Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said, “ “We remain pleased and encouraged by the early success of the Borealis and look forward to its continued growth,” while Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman said, “The Borealis continues to be a success story in Wisconsin and our partner states.” Said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi, “As a co-sponsor of the service, we view a quarter of a million riders as proof that our investments in regional transit make a real difference in the lives of people all across the Midwest.”
The Borealis was launched after a more than 10-year effort led by Minnesota supporters including the Great River Rail Commission and All Aboard Minnesota. Its debut was accelerated thanks to an agreement between Amtrak and CPKC, host railroad for much of the trip, under which CPKC allowed service to begin ahead of the completion of capital improvements as part of Amtrak’s support for the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger [see “Amtrak Borealis makes debut,” News Wire, May 21, 2024].
The train currently offers one-class service between Chicago and the Twin Cities, serving 11 intermediate stops. More information, including schedules, is available at the Amtrak website.
