Three states celebrated the second anniversary of Amtrak’s Borealis daily train service between Chicago and St. Paul on May 21. The partnership between the state-supported service includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, the federal government, local municipalities and Amtrak.
More than 400,000 passengers have ridden the Borealis since the inaugural run on May 21, 2024. The immediate and strong success of the train service has surpassed the expectations of Amtrak and the Department of Transportation. It points to the need for more train capacity and increased frequency. The full potential of passenger rail cannot be reached without adequate federal and state funding.
The new service is an essential service to many people in smaller cities along the corridor, connecting them with resources and economic benefits. Passenger rail is safe, dependable and reliable, which is important to some who do not own cars or have convenient access to bus service or air travel.
On the second anniversary of the Borealis service, we must continue to inform and educate our legislators that the majority of Wisconsinites want passenger rail and as an equal partner when crafting Wisconsin’s transportation budget.
Susan Foote-Martin, Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers, Rio
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Amtrak’s Borealis service a win-win-win for three states | Letter
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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