Amtrak's Borealis train, from Milwaukee to the Twin Cities, had more than 200,000 riders in its first year
Operated daily, Borealis ridership for the 11 months ending April 30 was more than 205,800 people. Total ridership for the new St. Paul to Chicago corridor, including both the Borealis and the Amtrak Empire Builder, was more than 293,000, up 227% compared to the previous year, according to Amtrak.
'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," said Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman in a statement.
When the route started May 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation estimated that 232,000 people would ride the new trains in their first full year of service. In its first month, the route served more than 18,500 passengers, about 600 riders per day.
Passengers of Borealis route faced cancellations in March after Amtrak removed its fleet of Horizon passenger cars due to concerns over corrosion, although service was restored without bus substitutions later that month.
The train makes the current Empire Builder stops between St. Paul and Milwaukee and the Hiawatha stops between Milwaukee and Chicago.
St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minn. - Union Depot (MSP)
Red Wing, Minn. (RDW)
Winona, Minn. (WIN)
La Crosse, Wis. - Amtrak Station (LSE)
Tomah, Wis. (WDL)
Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (WDL)
Portage, Wis. (POG)
Columbus, Wis. (CBS)
Milwaukee, Wis. - Downtown (MKE)
Milwaukee, Wis. - General Mitchell Airport Trains (MKA)
Sturtevant, Wis. (SVT)
Glenview, Ill. - (GLN)
Chicago, Ill. - Union Station (CHI)
The most up to date arrival and departure times are available on Amtrak.com, the mobile app or by text or phone. Call 1-877-231-9448 to speak with an Amtrak customer care specialist.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Amtrak Borealis train surpassed 200,000 passengers in its first year
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