Train Travel Remains Popular as Borealis Carries 500,000th Passenger

Great River Rail Commission

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: 

Great River Rail Commission 

Kevin Roggenbuck, Senior Transportation Planner, 

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority 

(651) 266-2798 

kevin.roggenbuck@ramseycounty.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2026

This September, Borealis celebrated a major milestone in its young career, reaching half a million passengers in less than two years. The passenger train, which began service between the Twin Cities and Chicago in May of 2024, has quickly exceeded forecasted ridership.

Borealis continues to boast impressive numbers. Monthly ridership in 2026 continues to exceed 18,000, despite having fewer seats available than the same time a year ago. These impressive numbers will soon be boosted by an additional Superliner car coming in early October. “I’m excited about the sheer number of people these trains have been attracting,” said Chris Meyer, Great River Rail Commission Chair. “The Borealis train is bringing many, many people to our communities along the Mississippi River Route. It really demonstrates the need for additional future passenger rail service.” 

Borealis has been a boon for businesses along the route. “People are either coming on the train for day trips or coming for extended weekends and enjoying all that Red Wing has to offer,” noted Michelle Larson,  President and CEO of the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have seen a boost in business in our retail and restaurants and our downtown lodging.” 

Borealis's ridership is limited by the number of seats in its current consist.  In March 2025, Amtrak pulled all Horizon coaches from service nationwide due to corrosion issues and replaced them with three Superliners, reducing the number of available seats from about 270 to 210.  “The fact that the Borealis is still this popular despite common sellouts is very encouraging,” said Meyer. “The additional Superliner car should help alleviate some of the stress but clearly more seats would be beneficial for both Amtrak and the passengers.”

The Empire Builder, long-distance Amtrak Service between Chicago and Seattle/Portland,  has remained popular as well, even during the challenging winter weather months. The long-distance train recorded 38,000 riders in July (entire route).

About the Commission 

The Great River Rail Commission is one of the leading voices on passenger rail in Minnesota. The Commission's long-range vision is that Borealis trains demonstrate additional demand that leads to further investment in faster, more frequent passenger train service. More information is available at greatriverrail.org.

Borealis to Receive Additional Superliner Car

Great River Rail Commission

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: 

Great River Rail Commission 

Kevin Roggenbuck, Senior Transportation Planner, 

Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority 

(651) 266-2798 

kevin.roggenbuck@ramseycounty.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 30, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has confirmed that Borealis will be receiving a fourth Superliner car in early October. This comes after the train surpassed 500,000 riders in late September, providing a much-needed boost to ridership capacity.

“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,” MnDOT commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said in a statement. “We are grateful for the strong partnerships with states, local governments, businesses and communities that are vital to the success of Borealis.”

Borealis has struggled with capacity since early 2025, when its Horizon cars were pulled due to safety concerns. This reduced the number of available seats by 25%. In July 2026, Borealis operated with 84% load factor and carried 18,600 riders. The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers reports Borealis’ limited capacity has reduced ridership by around 28,000 and cut revenue by at least $1.4 million.

The additional Superliner will add around 75 seats to the daily round-trip service, increasing capacity by about 33%. This welcome increase is celebrated by Great River Rail Commission Chair Chris Meyer, who says, “an increase in capacity and ridership benefits everybody.”

The car will go into service westbound on Train #1333 on October 5th, and eastbound on Train #1340 on October 6th.

About the Commission 

The Great River Rail Commission is one of the leading voices on passenger rail in Minnesota. The Commission's long-range vision is that Borealis trains demonstrate additional demand that leads to further investment in faster, more frequent passenger train service. More information is available at greatriverrail.org.

Passenger Rail Ridership Surges Along Mississippi River Corridor

Amtrak's Borealis and Empire Builder passenger rail routes are experiencing a remarkable rebound across the Minnesota and Wisconsin train stations, with passenger counts in 2025 reaching levels well above pre-pandemic figures at every stop along the upper Mississippi corridor.

The busiest station in the region, Union Depot in St. Paul, recorded 199,613 arrivals and departures in 2025 — more than double its 2019 total of 90,961 and a significant jump even from 2024's 126,421. Chicago remains the dominant destination for Twin Cities riders, drawing 87,153 passengers, followed by Milwaukee at 27,745 and La Crosse at 10,426.

Smaller stations are telling the same story. La Crosse reached 39,963 passengers in 2025, up from 29,832 the year before. Red Wing — a scenic stop just 40 miles from St. Paul — more than doubled its 2023 ridership to reach 21,666, with nearly 60 percent of its riders traveling short-haul distances under 178 miles. Winona posted 23,673 passengers, its highest total in the decade covered by the data.

"The numbers we're seeing across this corridor are a clear signal that people want this service," said Chris Meyer, Chair of the Great River Rail Commission. "These aren't just statistics — they represent thousands of travelers choosing the train to connect communities along the Mississippi. We need to build on this momentum and invest in the frequency and reliability that will keep ridership growing."

The data, compiled by the Rail Passengers Association, also highlights the stations' economic reach. Revenue destinations stretch far beyond the Midwest, with Seattle, Portland, and Whitefish, Montana all appearing among the top revenue-generating routes for multiple stations — a sign that Borealis and Empire Builder continue to function as a true long-distance connector, not merely a regional commuter link.

Source: Rail Passengers Association, 2026, railpassengers.org

About the Commission 

The Great River Rail Commission is one of the leading voices on passenger rail in Minnesota. The Commission's long-range vision is that Borealis trains demonstrate additional demand that leads to further investment in faster, more frequent passenger train service. More information is available at greatriverrail.org.