The Borealis route is Amtrak’s second daily train from St. Paul to Chicago and hit a ridership milestone on Oct. 24.

Amtrak’s Borealis line, launched in May 2024, reached 100,000 riders this week, outpacing a prediction that it would serve between 125,000 and 135,000 passengers per year, reports Tim Harlow in The Minnesota Star Tribune.

The Borealis line between St. Paul and Chicago has surpassed 100,000 passengers since its launch less than six months ago.

Amtrak's new, five-month-old Borealis line connecting Milwaukee to the Twin Cities and Chicago hit a major milestone this week. The route, which debuted May 21, has had over 100,000 passengers as it closes out its first 22 weeks,

A news release says to celebrate the milestone, Amtrak Borealis customers were given complimentary refreshments and commemorative certificates entitling every passenger to 500 bonus Amtrak Guest Rewards points. As a fun addition, each passenger received a "100-Grand" candy bar as a snack or a keepsake, courtesy of Amtrak.

Amtrak debuted Borealis on May 21 and celebrated its achievement this week by handing out “100-Grand” candy bars and commemorative certificates to riders on eastbound and westbound trains. The line is operated by Amtrak under contracts with transportation departments in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Since Amtrack launched its Borealis service between St. Paul and Chicago, the route's passenger count has reached six figures.