Amtrak Borealis Surpasses 500,000 Riders Between St. Paul and Chicago
Photo: MN Department of Transportation
Published: September 30th, 2026.
SAINT PAUL MN - Amtrak’s Borealis passenger rail service between St. Paul and Chicago has surpassed 500,000 riders since launching in May 2024, according to Amtrak and transportation officials in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
The daily service connects St. Paul and Chicago through Wisconsin, including stops in communities such as Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells and Milwaukee.
Amtrak said more than 2.2 million passengers have traveled aboard all Amtrak trains along the St. Paul-Chicago corridor since May 21, 2024. That figure includes Borealis, Hiawatha Service trains between Milwaukee and Chicago, and the Empire Builder, which travels between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest through Milwaukee and St. Paul.
“Borealis is a huge success and the numbers are impressive, so investing in passenger rail was certainly the right choice by these three states,” Amtrak Executive Vice President Jennifer Mitchell said.
Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said Borealis ridership has continued to exceed expectations.
“We are thrilled that Amtrak will add a fourth passenger car to the service in just a few weeks, which allows more Minnesotans access to this safe, reliable transportation option,” Daubenberger said.
Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman called reaching 500,000 passengers a “defining milestone” for passenger rail in Wisconsin, while Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said the ridership demonstrates continued demand for transportation between states that does not require traveling by car.
Borealis operates once daily in each direction, departing St. Paul around midday and Chicago in the late morning.
The trains feature reclining seats, no middle seats and a café car. The route also follows portions of the Mississippi River between St. Paul and La Crosse.
Borealis service is supported through a partnership involving Amtrak and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.