New passenger train arrivals and departures in a
partnership
with Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois
ST. PAUL, Minn. and
CHICAGO, May 1, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Tickets are now available for a second daily Amtrak
service between the Twin Cities
and Chicago, via Milwaukee: new
state-sponsored Borealis trains originate from
St. Paul at midday and from
Chicago in the late morning.
Travelers seeking a more comfortable, sustainable and productive
choice than driving will have double the current rail options,
starting May 21, 2024.
Tickets are now available for a second
daily Amtrak service between the Twin
Cities and Chicago, via
Milwaukee.
Amtrak Borealis coach fares start at $41 each way between St. Paul and Chicago for adults, with everyday discounts
for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military
personnel and families, groups, and others.
Amtrak Borealis trains will offer Coach and Business
Class in addition to a café car featuring regional items. Customers
will enjoy wide reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle
seats, free Wi-Fi, and views of the Mississippi River between
St. Paul and La Crosse, Wisc., in daylight in both
directions across Wisconsin.
The trains will make the current Empire
Builder stops between St.
Paul and Milwaukee and
Hiawatha stops between Milwaukee and Chicago (see amtrak.com/Borealis). Another
benefit of the Amtrak Borealis service is a new
eastbound Amtrak origination from Ramsey
County's Union Depot in St.
Paul.
"A second daily passenger rail service connecting St. Paul to Chicago via Milwaukee is a welcome addition to our
transportation system, providing more choices and travel
flexibility for passengers," said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Minnesota Department of
Transportation. "We appreciate our partnerships with communities,
federal, state and local governments, the host railroad CPKC, and
Amtrak that were needed to get this service on-track, and to
provide another safe, reliable transportation option. We look
forward to continuing these partnerships as we work toward further
building out passenger rail options in the Midwest."
"This route includes eight stations in Wisconsin, and doubling the frequency of the
service will better connect the many businesses, universities and
tourist attractions along this corridor," WisDOT Secretary
Craig Thompson said. "This expansion
is thanks to the work WisDOT was able to do together with
Minnesota, Illinois and Amtrak, as well as the
opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We
will continue to work with federal and state partners to explore
more passenger rail options in Wisconsin."
"We are proud to collaborate with neighboring states and our
federal partners to offer more Amtrak service in the Midwest," said
Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer
Osman. "Ensuring passenger rail that's safe, reliable and
accessible is one of the many reasons Illinois continues to distinguish itself as
the transportation hub of North
America under Gov. JB Pritzker."
The new service is sponsored by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Amtrak now operates 29
state-supported routes with 18 state partners.
"Through the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor
Identification Program we are working with grantees on dozens of
other possible new Amtrak routes," said President Roger Harris. "Thanks to the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, interest from state transportation
departments and others for new or expanded Amtrak service across
the country is at an all-time high."
"This is a win for passenger rail expansion in America, and more
importantly, it's a win for a growing number of Americans who rely
on passenger rail and benefit from it," said Federal Railroad
Administrator Amit Bose.
"Investments in rail have long helped Midwesterners and the
region's economy, and this new service will mean additional access
for people traveling between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois while contributing to economic
growth.
"The Federal Railroad Administration applauds the strong
partnership between the states and Amtrak, and through President
Biden's infrastructure package, we know even more progress is
underway," Bose added.
About Amtrak®
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has
connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe,
environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations
across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an
experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train
status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn
more at Amtrak.com and connect with us
on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About MnDOT
Created in 1976, the Minnesota Department
of Transportation (MnDOT) oversees transportation by all modes
including land, water, air, rail, walking and bicycling. Its
mission is to connect and serve all people through a safe,
equitable and sustainable transportation system. Stay connected to
MnDOT through our Social Hub.
About WisDOT
The Wisconsin Department of
Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967. It
provides leadership in the development of a safe and efficient
multimodal transportation system for the people of Wisconsin and the state's many visitors. Learn
more about WisDOT at wisconsindot.gov and connect with WisDOT on
Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube to stay up to
date on the latest transportation news in Wisconsin.
About IDOT
The Illinois Department of Transportation
(IDOT) has statutory responsibility for the planning, construction,
operation and maintenance of Illinois' extensive transportation network,
which encompasses highways and bridges, airports, public transit,
rail freight and rail passenger systems. This vast transportation
system supports the fifth largest state in the nation and more than
100 million visitors annually. IDOT's Stay Connected page serves as
an interactive hub to facilitate transportation news, events, video
and photo galleries, and to promote information through social
media platforms targeting all transportation stakeholders.
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SOURCE Amtrak