Mn Senate Transportation Committee bill moves forward with language supporting a future grant proposal to evaluate new passenger rail service from the Twin Cities to Kansas City and new daytime service from Saint Paul to Fargo! All Aboard MN and city staff from Albert Lea and Anoka gave testimony.
What is the status of the Northern Lights Express between Duluth and Minneapolis? The project is in Phase I planning and evaluation in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is overseeing planning and is waiting for approval to move into Phase 2 of the federal planning process. The 10 percent state match needed for phase 2 was authorized previously by the Minnesota Legislature.
Update on the Northern Lights Express
Given what happened with Northstar rail in Minnesota, why would the state of Minnesota want to invest in another rail project? Northstar commuter rail was managed by the Metropolitan Council and operated by crew members from BNSF Railway. It served the Monday to Friday AM and PM commute to/from downtown Minneapolis. Ridership crashed during the COVID-19 pandemic and did not rebound, in part due to the continued weakness of the job market in downtown Minneapolis. Plus, a Phase I study of these two new corridors costs Minnesota nothing!
The Northstar's shutdown is not at all indicative of passenger rail demand.
Will passenger rail projects ever make money or even cover their costs? Passenger rail in the US is only able to cover a percentage of operating costs. Government covers the remainder. However, this is no different than airlines, roads, and parking. For example, a quarter of the federal support for transportation ($26.7 billion in FY2024) comes from general U.S. tax revenues–not the gas tax.
If you drive, fly, or enjoy free parking, you enjoy government subsidized travel. Passenger rail is no different.
This is a good corridor for a state supported train that could connect cities in Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri It connects the Twin Cities Metro region with Des Moines and Kansas City, and has one of the greatest ridership potentials of passenger rail routes in the Midwest, estimated at over 190,000 riders per year. It would connect Minnesota to other Amtrak routes that serve Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix, and LA, with many stops in between.
Would a new train between the Twin Cities and Kansas City be a good investment? (You guessed it - YES!)
This is a good corridor for a state supported train that would supplement Amtrak’s long distance Empire Builder. A passenger train in this corridor would stop in more cities than the Empire Builder and operate on a daytime schedule rather than the overnight hours, connecting a great number of colleges and universities. This corridor is almost double tracked and has the equipment required to run passenger rail service, with stations already in place in many of the cities. The rail demand is there.
Would a second passenger train between Saint Paul and Fargo be a good investment? (short answer: YES!)
Frequently asked questions about passenger rail in Minnesota, down arrow, two squiggly lines as decoration
We're starting this week off by answering some FAQs about passenger rail in Minnesota. 🧵
Here is the full Transportation Finance and Policy committee agenda: www.house.mn.gov/committees/h...
The bill endorses new corridor studies for Saint Paul to Fargo and Twin Cities to Kansas City will be heard in the House Transportation Finance and Policy committee on Monday, March 23. Find your representatives and ask for their support of this bill: gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/distri...
action alert! photo of people with suitcases boarding amtrak empire builder
If you want more passenger rail, now is the time to contact your representatives!
House bill 3176 will be heard in the House Transportation Finance and Policy committee this Monday.
Read the 23 resolutions in support of either Saint Paul to Fargo on a daytime schedule or new service between the Twin Cities and Kansas City.
Find your representatives and personalize the sample script ⬇️
allaboardmn.org/news/blog/re...
action alert! ask your legislators to support HF3176 | SF2887 image of inside of observation car of empire builder
Support expanded passenger rail! Ask your legislators to support HF3176 | SF 2887, directing @mndot.mn.gov to submit applications to the Federal Railroad Administration to study two corridors.
allaboardmn.org/news/blog/re...
Last week, @amtrak.com announced plans to replace its Superliner cars on long-distance trains. While passengers will miss the views from the upper level of the bi-level cars, it’s time for modern and more accessible equipment.
Read more from: @hsrail.bsky.social:
www.hsrail.org/blog/amtrak-...
Inside of the observation car of the Empire Builder, filled with people playing cards, doing homework, sketching and more
Are you getting the latest updates on passenger rail in Minnesota and beyond?
www.allaboardmn.org/join/
The Saint Paul City Council joined several other cities in passing a resolution in support of studying passenger rail to Kansas City 🎉
www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...
It's that time of year again. Let’s check in with some of our favorite urbanist advocacy organizations about their goals for this year’s legislative session!
Listen on our site or through your podcast platform of choice!
🎯
The bill provides legislative direction for the study of two new rail corridors, helping us get that much closer to daytime service to Fargo/Moorhead and new passenger rail service to Kansas City.
buff.ly/ZRbiMvg
"HF3176 | SF2887 Ask Minnesota legislators to support intercity passenger rail." with a photo of the Minnesota Capitol in the background
The Minnesota legislative session begins in a week. Ask your legislators to support HF3176 | SF2887.
buff.ly/BifSDVP
"Fans of the Borealis Amtrak train route from St. Paul to Chicago have asked for state planners to keep up the momentum and study additional passenger rail lines."
@frederickmelo.bsky.social for @pioneerpress.bsky.social
www.twincities.com/2026/02/06/a...
Over 15 cities and chambers have passed resolutions in support of our two proposed routes.
ABC 6 News - KAAL TV interviewed folks in Albert Lea about why they'd like to see a stop in their city.
www.kaaltv.com/news/all-abo...
person wearing headphones watching people board the train out the window of the train car
Want to see more passenger rail in the Midwest? Could you give a couple hours per month to forward the mission of All Aboard Minnesota?
Email us at info@allaboardmn.org. We have some easy ways to get involved.
We support @hsrail.bsky.social in asking Secretary Duffy to meet the demand for rail. Take a minute to add your name!
www.hsrail.org/blog/ask-sec...
Now is an ideal time to request a meeting with your legislators to ask them to support intercity passenger rail. The legislative session begins on February 19, but legislators are already holding meetings with constituents.
allaboardmn.org/news/blog/sc...
The proposed route includes Des Moines and Kansas City, connecting us to two of Amtrak’s long-distance trains—the SW Chief and the California Zepher.
Learn more and sign up for our newsletter: allaboardmn.org/about/our-vi...
train going through a crossing with trees in the background, photo credit Robert Ball
At one time, passenger trains operated twice daily between Saint Paul and Kansas City. We are advocating for a new train to connect the Twin Cities Metro area with Minnesota cities along the 35W corridor.
Train passing a pond on a nice day, with greenery and trees in the background. Photo Credit: Robert Ball
Join us in advocating for legislation this session to provide daytime passenger rail service between St. Paul and Fargo/Moorhead. We love the Empire Builder, but Minnesota also needs a state-supported train to serve more cities on a more convenient schedule.
allaboardmn.org/about/our-vi...
Similar to highways and airlines, Amtrak brings significant investment to Minnesota. In FY2024, the total was $62.8 million in purchased goods and services – benefiting 14 cities directly and the state as a whole. Read the summary www.allaboardmn.org/site/assets/...
