Since its May 21 launch, Amtrak’s Borealis train has quickly become a popular choice for travelers on the St. Paul, Minnesota to Milwaukee to Chicago route. This new service, which is one of only two state-supported routes to turn a profit, attracted approximately 6,600 passengers in its first 11 days of operation in May. 

Amtrak’s recent performance report highlights that the Borealis train boasts impressive ridership, with over 600 passengers daily during its initial period. The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers shared data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, showing a daily average of 329 westbound and 275 eastbound travelers, according to Milwaukee Business Journal.

The Borealis service is an expansion of the Empire Builder route, which connects Chicago to the Twin Cities and continues to Seattle. The new 411-mile route shaves off about 40 minutes from the journey, taking approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes compared to the Empire Builder’s 8-hour trip. The route features eight stops in Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee Intermodal Station downtown.

Supported by the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois, with a federal grant covering 90% of the first year’s operating costs, the Borealis route has already proven financially successful. In May, the service generated $600,000 in revenue against $500,000 in expenses, marking it as one of the few profitable state-supported routes in the country.

In addition to its financial success, the Borealis has spurred developments at St. Paul’s Union Depot. The depot recently opened 1881 by Lake Elmo, a new restaurant from the owners of Lake Elmo Inn, aiming to attract both travelers and locals. St. Paul officials hope this upscale dining option will enhance the appeal of train travel to the city.