Key Takeaways

• Ridership on Amtrak trains from Chicago Union Station increased by 8% last year, leading among U.S. regional passenger rail hubs.
• Amtrak’s Borealis service to St. Paul has attracted over 250,000 riders since its launch in May 2024.
• Projected intercity rail travel growth of 10% over the next two years is limited by current capacity constraints.

Amtrak Growth in Chicago

Amtrak has experienced significant growth in ridership from Chicago Union Station, with an 8% increase reported last year, according to a recent policy brief from the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University. This growth places Chicago at the forefront of regional rail hubs, outperforming similar facilities in North Carolina-Virginia, California, and upstate New York-Vermont. Joseph Schwieterman, the institute’s director, noted that travelers are increasingly choosing trains over flights for shorter trips.

During the nine-month span from October 2024 to June 2025, an estimated 1.85 million riders utilized state-supported trains within 750 miles of Chicago, contributing to a total of 14.5 million passengers on 30 different routes across the nation in 2024. Amtrak’s partnerships with Midwest states have enhanced service quality, exemplified by two 110 mph “spokes” emanating from Chicago, which serve as a crucial hub that connects to numerous trains nationwide.

Support from several states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, is vital for passenger rail services, facilitated by the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission. This organization collaborates with federal and local governments while promoting rail service improvements.

In a recent development, Amtrak introduced the Borealis service between Chicago and St. Paul on May 21, 2024, funded by Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. This initiative has proven successful, garnering over a quarter-million riders within a few months of operation.

Schwieterman highlighted the inadequate bus services in the Midwest that Amtrak fills, pointing to limited schedules and poor coordination between bus and rail services. The announced closure of Burlington Trailways, an intercity bus operator, only exacerbates the transportation gaps for travelers in the region.

Looking ahead, the Chaddick Institute projects a cumulative 10% growth in intercity rail travel from Chicago over the next two years. However, this growth may be hampered by a lack of capacity to meet rising demand. Although state governments have ordered new railcars, current inventory may fall short, as evidenced by sold-out trains during busy travel periods such as Labor Day weekend.

Amtrak’s spokesman, Marc Magliari, noted that the Midwest has already taken significant steps in adopting advanced train technology, such as the Venture-series railcars and Charger-series locomotives. These modern trains are not only environmentally friendly, featuring lower emissions, but also come equipped with improved passenger amenities and greater accessibility.

Further expansion of intercity rail service is anticipated in Chicago, with plans set to launch a new route to Rockford, Illinois, by the end of 2027. This venture will include three intermediate stops, supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Amtrak is also preparing for a major renovation of the Chicago Union Station to enhance capacity and improve multimodal connections. Construction is expected to begin next year, converting some platforms previously used by the U.S. Postal Service for public train service.

To sustain and build upon this momentum, the Chaddick report encourages states and regional agencies to foster train travel, enhance collaborations between rail services and public transport, and procure additional rail cars to meet future demand.

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