3rd Quarter Newsletter 2024

In this issue:

• BOREALIS PERFORMANCE - Two Months Results and Trip Reports
• EXTENDING BOREALIS TO FARGO - Outreach Plans and Report
• FRA LONG DISTANCE STUDY - AAMN Input
• LEGISLATIVE IMPACT - Railroad Police Bill Passed
• SOCIAL MEDIA PROGRAM

BOREALIS EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS!

We are very excited to announce that the Borealis is off to a great start! Amtrak announced that the number of riders in June was 18,500! This means that there are approximately 300 riders each way each day. If these numbers hold, this equates to annual ridership of over 220,000! All Aboard Minnesota forecast 155,000 annual riders, and MnDOT and Amtrak forecast around 125,000.

Brian Nelson of AAMN rode the Borealis in June, and reported that the train each way was sold out with many riders in their 20-30's and many families with young children, exactly the demographic we thought would use the new service.

The Empire Builder has seen an increase in ridership this year over last year as well, and as the Twin Cities to Chicago corridor is one of the most heavily traveled on the EB, we don't believe there is much cannibalization of riders from the EB to the Borealis.

The press also noted the success, with reports in the Pioneer Press, StarTribune, and WCCO radio which interviewed Brian Nelson.

New Initiatives:

It was recently announced that Wisconsin DOT received two Corridor ID grants for the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor, which MnDOT supported:

• New route via Madison and Eau Claire
• Additional frequency on the current route

Possibly the continued success of the Borealis will support these additions.

Volunteer needed

We need a volunteer to record the on time performance of the Borealis. We do have a link to a site to get you started. You can do this from home in a simple chart so we can monitor why the train is late and patterns. We need this train to be on time and to succeed.

If you are iInterested or have questions: Contact - [email protected]

We will keep you posted on the Borealis success going forward.

Cards given to all passengers on the inaugural runs of the Borealis

OUTREACH PROGRAM UNDERWAY TO ADVOCATE FOR FARGO EXTENSION

Striking while the iron is hot! As MnDOT is updating the state passenger rail plan, and studying the St. Paul to Fargo/Moorhead passenger rail corridor, Jerry Ratliff will be conducting in person meetings with chamber of commerce and mayors in communities along the corridor (same route as the Empire Builder). The purpose of the meetings is to educate them about the success of the Borealis and ask that they call key Minnesota legislators and MnDOT asking that the Borealis be extended from St. Paul to Fargo/Moorhead. Jerry's first report follows:

Outreach Report for July by Jerry Ratliff

After over a year in planning and with the help of many members and board members, I left Monday July 15th for a 3 day trip from St Cloud through Detroit Lakes. Before leaving I emailed all of them that I was coming and included links to our 3 min video and our Borealis extension video.

I met with 19 mayors, city managers, and chamber presidents or directors. I briefly shared the success of the Borealis and the need for them to give input into the MNDot study of the extension of the Borealis to Fargo. [reference the alert that Brian is sending out for members to complete or include link here]

I left with them a folder with key information including the 4 contacts for this study and the proposed schedule. When I got home I sent all of them the 2 pdfs of tentative schedule and the links (now electronic) to the 4 contacts for the study to add this Borealis extension.

This trip was not only intense, but very positive. I was able to connect with many civic leaders who were not aware of the train or the study. In addition, thanks to our member Dave Lingo, I had an updated email for almost all of them. But several names and addresses have changed so I need to update the spreadsheet so we can stay in touch.

On a personal note, I had great conversations answering some really basic questions, supporting their efforts to get public support, and getting to know some new people. I knew many from my 2017 Outreach visits. Finally, as much as I hate driving, I think empowering these Greater Minnesota civic leaders is not only important, but has been a key to our success. I felt energized by them. And, of course, thanks to all of those members and others who have donated time and money to make the wonderful folders I handed out. What a team effort!

FRA LONG DISTANCE STUDY IS COMPLETE

All Aboard Minnesota was one of the stakeholders for the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Long Distance Study in the Midwest region, attended all the meetings and gave our input. The study is now complete and has been sent to Congress.

Two of the routes that we are actively advocating for are in the study, Chicago to Seattle through southern North Dakota and Montana ( route of the Northern Pacific's North Coast Limited ) which was discontinued in 1979, and Twin Cities to Houston, formerly the route of the Twin Star Rocket. Other proposed routes were Twin Cities to Denver and Twin Cities to Phoenix.

We are strong advocates of daytime service on the Empire Builder route from the Twin Cities to Fargo, extending the Borealis, and daytime Twin Cities to Kansas City service, of which both routes are included in the FRA study. You can find all the meeting materials and final report here: fralongdistancestudy.org

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

MnDOT needs your help. Please click here to see the AAMN Alert

LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR RAILROAD POLICE

Railroad Police now have the same authority as regular police officers. AAMN worked in conjunction with the CPKC Railroad to pass legislation in the Minnesota Legislature that allows Railroad Police officers the same authority as police officers. Minnesota was one of only a few states that did not grant this authority. With many communities in Minnesota facing police officer shortages, this new legislation will be very helpful to ensure that Railroad Police can take actions to keep railroad property and stations safe. AAMN called on the Governor and House Speaker Melissa Hortman, amongst other legislators to support the bill, and it worked!

SOCIAL MEDIA PROGRAM UPDATE

As we have noted before, in April All Aboard Minnesota embarked on robust Social Media campaign and expanded to three new channels, Instagram, Twitter(X) and TikToc. The main purpose of the campaign was to really tout the beginning of the Borealis and news about it to keep in front and center in the public eye. Since this is our first new rail passenger service since 1975, we are doing everything we can to promote the service to make it a success. Since starting the new social media push, we have noted much more engagement on Facebook and have built a great following on TikToc. Additionally, we are reaching new audiences with this campaign, especially through Twitter. The campaign ends in early October, and we will make decisions then about ongoing activities. Thanks to all of you who have liked, commented and have been engaged with our new social media campaign.

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