All Aboard Minnesota

@allaboardmn.org

326 Followers 364 Following

đźšž Non-profit education and advocacy organization focused on the expansion of interstate passenger rail within Minnesota and the Midwest https://linktr.ee/allaboardmn

map of existing and proposed rail service in Minnesota and neighboring states
https://allaboardmn.org/join/
Join us at Train Days June 6&7 Union Depot 12-4PM all aboard minnesota logo with illustration of train
people at Union Depot looking at the All Aboard banner and info
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about passenger rail in Minnesota, down arrow, two squiggly lines as decoration
action alert! photo of people with suitcases boarding amtrak empire builder
action alert! ask your legislators to support HF3176 | SF2887 image of inside of observation car of empire builder
Inside of the observation car of the Empire Builder, filled with people playing cards, doing homework, sketching and more
"HF3176 | SF2887 Ask Minnesota legislators to support intercity passenger rail." with a photo of the Minnesota Capitol in the background
person wearing headphones watching people board the train out the window of the train car
train going through a crossing with trees in the background, photo credit Robert Ball
Train passing a pond on a nice day, with greenery and trees in the background. Photo Credit: Robert Ball
photo of the facade of Kansas City Union Station
Board Chair Barb Thoman moderating a legislative panel at the All Aboard Minnesota annual meeting.
Board member Tom Beaumont rocking an Amtrak sweater that says "Amtrak with your nose so bright won you guide my sleigh tonight"
Board President Barb Thoman, Representative Koegel, and Senator Dibble smiling for a photo
photo of All Aboard annual meeting with Representative Erin Koegel, Senator Scott Dibble, and Sierra Club's Peter Wagenius during a legislative panel
4346. Union Depot and Boat Docks, St. Paul, Minn. historical photo in reddish sepia tone, from a high angle
Annual Meeting November 1st, 10am-1:30PM Lunch Provided 733 Portland Ave Saint Paul, Minnesota photo of inside of the Amtrak Borealis car with All Aboard Minnesota logo
Intercity passenger rail extends the reach to those who can’t or shouldn’t drive and improves the safety on the highways. Holly Lutz Wausau, Wisconsin
people eating and on their phones on the Amtrak
photo of people milling about by the Amtrak on a nice sunny day
photo of amtrak train at the Lee's Summit, Missouri stop
become a member animated text with photo of Union Depot station
Annual Meeting November 1st, 10am-1:30PM Lunch Provided 733 Portland Ave Saint Paul, Minnesota photo of inside of the Amtrak Borealis car with All Aboard Minnesota logo