Wisconsin Riders Praise Amtrak Borealis as Sustainable, Convenient Transportation Option

200K+ ride Amtrak’s Borealis trains in first year

WIZMnews.com Amtrak and government officials are pleased with the number of passengers on the Borealis trains which celebrates its first year of service. The route runs daily between Chicago and St. Paul. Ridership numbers released by Amtrak showed that in the 11 months ending on April 30, more than 205,800 passengers made the trip. When combined with the Empire Builder, Amtrak had more than 293,000 riders from May 2024 through April 2025. It’s …

Wisconsin riders praise Amtrak Borealis as sustainable, convenient transportation option

The Amtrak Borealis has transported more than 200,000 riders in its first year of service, marking a successful return of passenger rail to Wisconsin after a 20-year gap."I probably use the train, I don't know, several times a year," said Mari Haulschildt, a UW student studying Sustainable Management with an interest in urban planning and public transportation."I find it super convenient. I have family in La Crosse, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Chic…

Amtrak’s Borealis marks first anniversary, sparking dramatic boost to Chicago-St. Paul ridership

The eastbound Borealis passes through Brookfield, Wis., on April 22, 2025. The train has been running with Superliner equipment since Amtrak’s Horizon cars were sidelined in late March. David Lassen CHICAGO — Amtrak says ridership on the St. Paul-Chicago route is up 227% since the introduction of the Borealis, which made its debut one year ago today, on May 21, 2024. Preliminary figures through the first 11 months of service show more than 205,8…