Amtrak’s state-supported passenger rail lines are enjoying a moment of momentum as April 2025 brought record ridership numbers for two key regional services: the Borealis line connecting Minnesota to Chicago, and Amtrak Virginia’s expanding network across the Commonwealth.
With renewed investments and growing demand for intercity rail, state-supported Amtrak routes are setting the pace for passenger rail resurgence in the United States.
Borealis Sees Strong Inaugural Year
The Borealis, a daily route operated by Amtrak in partnership with the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, has exceeded expectations during its first 11 months of service. Since its launch in May 2024, the line has carried over 205,800 riders through April 30. When combined with Amtrak’s long-distance Empire Builder service on the same corridor, the total number of passengers traveling between St. Paul and Chicago rose to more than 293,000, marking a 227 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“This isn’t just about more trains — it’s about greater connectivity and opportunity for the communities we serve,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “The success of the Borealis is a testament to what’s possible when federal, state, and local leaders work together to expand passenger rail.”
The Borealis marks the first expansion of intercity passenger rail in Wisconsin in over 20 years. Stops along the line include St. Paul, Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Portage, Columbus, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The route complements the Empire Builder’s service but offers better schedule options and a more direct experience for regional travelers.
State Partnerships Driving Success
The Borealis is operated as a state-supported route, meaning it receives funding from the participating states in cooperation with Amtrak. Minnesota’s Department of Transportation, Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Department of Transportation each play a role in supporting and overseeing service performance.
“We are proud of the collaborative effort it took to bring the Borealis service to life,” said Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation Craig Thompson. “This isn’t just a win for Wisconsin; it’s a regional victory for mobility, economic development, and environmental progress.”
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Leaders in Minnesota echoed the sentiment. “The Borealis is a shining example of what investment in multimodal transportation looks like,” said Nancy Daubenberger, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. “It’s clear that Minnesotans are responding positively to this new travel option.”
Amtrak Virginia Breaks April Record
In the southeastern U.S., another state-supported system is reporting a banner month. Amtrak Virginia posted its highest April ridership ever, with 129,670 passengers across its four service corridors. The Roanoke line registered the fastest growth, with an 11.8 percent year-over-year increase, while the Norfolk line recorded the highest overall ridership at 49,246 passengers.
“These gains confirm that Virginians value having a reliable, convenient, and sustainable travel option,” said DJ Stadtler, Executive Director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA). “We are witnessing growing interest across all corridors, and it reinforces the case for our continued rail expansion efforts.”
Amtrak Virginia currently offers service to and from Washington, D.C., through four lines that reach Roanoke, Norfolk, Newport News, and Richmond. The commonwealth continues to invest in expanding capacity, including the much-anticipated extension to the New River Valley and the Long Bridge project, which will dramatically increase capacity between Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Rail Investment Fueling Growth
Both the Borealis and Amtrak Virginia services reflect broader momentum in U.S. passenger rail. Backed by funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Amtrak and its state partners are tapping into historic federal resources to modernize and expand intercity rail.
Second train triples passengers: Amtrak’s new Borealis line, from Chicago to Milwaukee to Twin Cities, carries more than 200,000 riders in first year; together with that leg of previous Empire Builder route, total ridership leaps 227%: @journalsentinel. https://t.co/QSYexxRg9u
— Larry Sandler (@larrysandler) May 22, 2025
According to Amtrak, ridership across its national network is rebounding strongly following pandemic-era declines. State-supported services, which accounted for nearly half of Amtrak’s total ridership in 2023, are emerging as key drivers of future growth.
“State-supported routes like Borealis and Amtrak Virginia prove that Americans want more trains — and when we build it, they come,” said Harris. “We’re committed to working with states across the country to bring fast, frequent, and reliable rail service to more communities.”
Looking Ahead
For Minnesota and Wisconsin, the first year of the Borealis is already prompting discussions about potential future expansions and frequency improvements. In Virginia, VPRA has signaled continued investment in corridor development, with the goal of increasing daily roundtrips from eight to 13 over the next several years.
As more Americans turn to rail for convenience, sustainability, and affordability, state-supported services are poised to become cornerstones of the national rail network.
