205,800 passengers have boarded the St. Paul to Chicago line, well above initial MDOT projections.
The Amtrak Borealis line, which runs from St. Paul to Chicago, surpassed ridership expectations during its first year, serving over 200,000 passengers as of April 30 (May numbers are yet to be finalized).
As Tm Harlow reports in The Minnesota Star Tribune, original estimates projected just up to 135,000 annual riders. But the line, which connects the two cities via a 7.5 hour daily trip, has proven much more popular. “In Minnesota, Borealis traffic by station, including total boardings and getting off the train, was 106,581 in St. Paul, 11,336 in Red Wing and 11,372 in Winona, according to Amtrak.”
Another Minnesota Amtrak line, the Empire Builder, also saw a growth in ridership, signaling strong demand for intercity trains in the region. Advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota is pushing for extending the Borealis line to St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes, and the Fargo-Moorhead area, as well as advocating for a Twin Cities-to-Kansas City line that would connect to other national routes.
FULL STORY: Amtrak’s Borealis beat ridership expectations in first year. Minnesota wants to build on its success.
Amtrak Borealis Line Celebrates 100,000 Passengers
The St. Paul-to-Chicago train served more than 22,000 passengers in August.
New Chicago-to-St. Paul Amtrak Line Makes Profit in First Months
The Borealis line provided more than 18,500 rides since its first trips in May.
St. Paul-to-Chicago Borealis Rail Line Launches
The Amtrak service, 12 years in the making, doubles the number of available trips on the corridor.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.
Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.
Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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