2nd Daily Twin Cities to Chicago Passenger Train Begins May 21, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Twin Cites to Chicago Passenger Train Beginning

For immediate release: May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024 (St. Paul, MN) Amtrak announced today that the new 2nd daily frequency passenger train service between the Twin Cities and Chicago will start on May 21, 2024 passenger rail advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota has just learned. The route of this train will be the same as Amtrak's existing Empire Builder service and it has been named as the "Borealis."

This new daily passenger train will originate at St. Paul Union Depot and departs at 11:50am, and will arrive in Chicago at 7:14pm. Westbound, the new train will depart Chicago at 11:05am, and arrive at St. Paul Union Depot at 6:29pm. This schedule, which is faster by 30 minutes than the current long distance Empire Builder schedule, compliments the existing train which departs St. Paul eastbound at 8:50am and arrives in Chicago at 4:45pm. Westbound, the Empire Builder departs Chicago at 3:05pm and arrives in St. Paul, MN at 10:56pm.

As the new train originates in St. Paul eastbound, schedule reliability is expected to be excellent. CPKC Railway, which hosts the train on their tracks, has received an A grade from Amtrak for performance reliability.

"This is a huge step forward to increase transportation options and travel choices for Minnesotans," explained Brian Nelson, President of All Aboard Minnesota. "There are many people, such as college students, families with children, the elderly, and many more who either cannot or do not want to drive or fly," Nelson further stated. The new train will feature roomy coach seating, cafe and business class service. The current advertised one way price between the Twin Cities and Chicago in coach is just $41.00.

This service is the first new passenger train Minnesota has seen since the initial establishment of the North Star passenger train to Duluth in 1975. The Borealis is estimated to have ridership of 125,000, to 150,000 annually, and will have an overall economic benefit to Minnesota of approximately $25M annually. Other new "corridor trains" like this (defined as trains with routes of 750 or less) that have been added in the Midwest have seen ridership growth annually after introduction.

"We know this new Chicago train will be a success, and we hope to see this train extended on a daytime schedule to Fargo, through St. Cloud on the existing Empire Builder route," Nelson added.

Other stations served in Minnesota are Red Wing, Winona, and La Crescent/La Crosse. Amtrak published a press release today with a map of the route and all stations served in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Click here: Amtrak Press Release

About All Aboard Minnesota
All Aboard Minnesota is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit advocacy and educational organization focused on the expansion and development of more long distance rail passenger service as part of a balanced transportation system. We are dedicated to the development of fast, comfortable, frequent, intercity passenger train services within and connecting Minnesota to the upper Midwest.

For more information, All Aboard Minnesota can be reached at (612) 483-0156 or on the Web at: www.allaboardmn.org.

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