May 240 Comments
Amtrak's Borealis Train recorded over 200,000 passengers in its inaugural year.
The Borealis train is breaking a record. It carried over 205,800 passengers in its first year.
Amtrak's Borealis Train recorded over 200,000 passengers in its inaugural year.
The Borealis train is breaking a record. It carried over 205,800 passengers in its first year. The daily Milwaukee to Saint Paul to Chicago route has exceeded projections. It's revolutionizing the way people travel in the Upper Midwest.
A Stimulus for Midwest Rail Connections
The Borealis train launched on May 21, 2024. It is intended to upgrade Amtrak's service between Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. It adds a second daily round trip on the Empire Builder corridor. It improves reliability and offers more travel times for passengers.
The corridor doubled Amtrak's daily journeys from Milwaukee to Saint Paul. The conversion produced a massive 227% ridership increase. Together, the Empire Builder and the Borealis had over 293,000 annual passengers. This shows a growing demand for efficient rail transport in the region.
Key Route and Schedule Information
The Borealis train serves many of the largest cities and towns. It originates in Chicago and terminates in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Throughout its route, it stops at 11 different stations, some of which are:
- Glenview, IL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Columbus, WI
- Portage, WI
- Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Tomah, WI
- La Crosse, WI
- Winona, MN
- Red Wing, MN
Train 1333 departs Chicago at 11:05 a.m. and reaches Saint Paul at 6:29 p.m. Train 1340 leaves Saint Paul at 11:50 a.m. and arrives back in Chicago by 7:14 p.m.
Equipment and Fleet Improvements
When it began, Borealis utilized Horizon Fleet coach cars and an Amfleet café/business class car. This was altered in March 2025. Amtrak retired their older Horizon cars because they suffered from corrosion. They were replaced with Superliner equipment, which provided a more comfortable ride for the passengers. Unfortunately, this removed business class service temporarily because Superliners don't have business class seats.
Community Impact and Positive Reception
Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman referred to the Borealis as "a big success." It allows people who live in smaller towns in Wisconsin to travel to big cities such as Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities. It provides a choice to driving or flying.
Its success indicates increasing demand for environmentally friendly, high-efficiency public transportation. Passengers experience convenience and reduced expenses over state lines.
Future Expansions and New Opportunities
Amtrak and regional officials are already planning ahead. They are going to extend the Borealis line to additional stops, including Minneapolis, Fridley, and St. Cloud. Plans are also being studied for a second line between the Twin Cities and Chicago, with possible new stops at Madison and Eau Claire.
The expansions will enhance regional mobility and address growing passenger demand.
A Bright Future for Midwest Rail Travel
The initial-year performance of the Borealis train emphasizes the relevance of rail transport in the Midwest. The Borealis is well-supported in terms of ridership and expansion plans. This is evidence of how productive contemporary passenger rail can become. With increased demand and increasing infrastructure, Amtrak's investment on lines such as this could herald a new golden era for train travel in America.
- Amtrak Borealis
- Midwest Rail Travel
- Public Transportation USA
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