Amtrak Boasts Success of Borealis Trains

12.07.2024 - 22:59 / travelpulse.com / North America / Donald Wood

Amtrak officials announced that preliminary figures from the first full month of state-sponsored Borealis trains between St. Paul and Chicago show a ridership of over 18,500.

In total, the average ridership was about 300 passengers aboard each of the eastbound and westbound trains operated daily by Amtrak under contracts with Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

“With strong college and university markets on this route, we are confident Borealis will continue to perform well when students and staff travel in greater numbers this fall,” Amtrak State Supported Service Vice President Ray Lang said.

The Borealis trains originate from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning. Amtrak offers everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel, families, groups, and others. 

The trains offer Coach and Business Class in addition to a cafe car featuring regional items.

“Amtrak and our state partners have always believed the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor was a great one with tremendous opportunity,” Lang continued. “The ridership numbers we have seen so far confirm our belief and we expect this trend to continue as the service matures and we head into the peak summer travel season.”

Rail passengers enjoy wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seats, free Wi-Fi, and views of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse, Wisconsin.

“The first month ridership numbers are very encouraging,” Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Omer Osman said. “We think that they show great potential for this route and look forward to continued strong ridership in the coming months.”

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