Borealis Train Service Has Surpassed 500,000 Riders
The passenger rail line connecting St. Paul and Chicago hit the major ridership milestone in September.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Travel — General
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The Borealis passenger train service has officially surpassed 500,000 riders since launching in May 2024. This rail corridor, connecting St. Paul and Chicago, has seen total ridership across all Amtrak trains exceed 2.2 million over the same period.
Why it matters
The route serves as a crucial transit link between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, reflecting strong demand for regional rail travel. To accommodate this growing volume of passengers, Amtrak is expanding capacity on the line.
The Borealis service operates daily between St. Paul and Chicago, offering travelers reclining seats and an onboard café car. The line is managed as a partnership between Amtrak and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
The players
Amtrak
Amtrak is the national passenger railroad corporation that operates the Borealis service in partnership with state governments.
State of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a partner state that provides funding and support for the Borealis rail corridor.
State of Minnesota
Minnesota serves as a key partner state for the Borealis route, which originates in St. Paul.
State of Illinois
Illinois is a partner state that facilitates the Borealis service ending in Chicago.
The details
Borealis trains currently originate from St. Paul at midday and depart Chicago in the late morning. The service is now preparing for increased capacity as Amtrak adds a fourth passenger car to the train sets in October 2026.
Timeline
May 2024: The Borealis train service officially began.
May 21, 2024: Start date for corridor ridership tracking.
September 28, 2026: Milestone of 500,000 riders announced.
October 2026: Amtrak scheduled to add a fourth passenger car.
Travel Outlook
The Borealis expansion follows the operational pattern established by the Amtrak State Supported Services partnership model. This regional rail growth reflects a broader national trend of states investing in mid-distance corridors to boost public transit connectivity.
Travelers should expect increased seating availability starting in October as the service expands its fleet capacity. Passengers planning a trip can choose between midday departures from St. Paul or late-morning departures from Chicago.
The takeaway
The success of the Borealis line highlights a growing demand for reliable passenger rail travel between major Midwest hubs. Future travelers can benefit from enhanced capacity as the service continues to adapt to high ridership levels.
What happens next
Amtrak is scheduled to add a fourth passenger car to the Borealis service in October 2026 to increase capacity for the route.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in regional rail at Travel — General.
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