Hiawatha Service

Hiawatha Service
Name	Hiawatha Service
Locale	Illinois, Wisconsin
Start	Chicago
End	Milwaukee
Operator	Amtrak
Type	Inter-city rail

Hiawatha Service is a passenger rail service operated by Amtrak between Chicago's Union Station and Milwaukee's Milwaukee Intermodal Station. The service is a key transportation link between the two cities, with multiple daily departures. It is named after the Hiawatha, a Milwaukee Road train that operated from 1935 to 1971. The service is also connected to other Amtrak routes, including the Empire Builder and the Thruway Motorcoach.

Introduction

The Hiawatha Service is one of the busiest Amtrak routes in the Midwest, with over 800,000 passengers per year. The service is operated in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation. It is also supported by the Federal Railroad Administration and the Surface Transportation Board. The route passes through several notable cities, including Glenview, Sturtevant, and Racine. The service is also connected to other transportation modes, including the Chicago 'L''s Union Station and the Milwaukee County Transit System.

History

The Hiawatha Service was introduced in 1972, shortly after the formation of Amtrak. It was created to replace the Milwaukee Road's Hiawatha train, which had operated since 1935. The service was initially operated with EMD F40PH locomotives and Amfleet coaches. Over the years, the service has undergone several changes, including the introduction of new equipment and the addition of new stops. In 2005, the service was expanded to include an additional round-trip between Chicago and Milwaukee. The service has also been supported by several notable politicians, including Tom Barrett, Scott Walker, and Tammy Baldwin.

Route

The Hiawatha Service operates over a route that is approximately 85 miles long. The route passes through several notable cities, including Glenview, Sturtevant, and Racine. The service also passes through several Illinois and Wisconsin counties, including Cook County and Milwaukee County. The route is also near several notable landmarks, including Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and the Milwaukee River. The service is also connected to other Amtrak routes, including the Empire Builder and the Thruway Motorcoach. The route is operated by Amtrak's Chicago Division and is maintained by the Norfolk Southern Railway.

Equipment

The Hiawatha Service is operated with Siemens Charger locomotives and Amfleet coaches. The service also uses Horizon coaches on some trips. The equipment is maintained by Amtrak's Beech Grove Shops and the Illinois Central Railroad's Homer Shops. The service has also used several other types of equipment over the years, including EMD F40PH locomotives and Superliner coaches. The equipment is also supported by several notable manufacturers, including Siemens, General Electric, and Electro-Motive Diesel. The service has also been involved in several notable projects, including the Acela Express and the Gateway Program.

Schedule

The Hiawatha Service operates multiple daily departures between Chicago and Milwaukee. The service typically operates every 30-60 minutes during peak hours, with fewer departures during off-peak hours. The schedule is also coordinated with other Amtrak routes, including the Empire Builder and the Thruway Motorcoach. The service is also supported by several notable transportation agencies, including the Chicago Transit Authority and the Milwaukee County Transit System. The schedule is also available on several notable websites, including Amtrak.com and Google Maps. The service has also been recognized for its reliability, with several notable awards, including the AASHTO's President's Award for Highway Safety.

Ridership

The Hiawatha Service has experienced steady ridership growth over the years, with over 800,000 passengers per year. The service is popular with both business and leisure travelers, with several notable destinations along the route, including Downtown Chicago, Downtown Milwaukee, and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. The service is also supported by several notable organizations, including the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. The ridership is also influenced by several notable events, including the Milwaukee Brewers' games at Miller Park and the Chicago Cubs' games at Wrigley Field. The service has also been recognized for its economic benefits, with several notable studies, including the American Public Transportation Association's Economic Benefits of Public Transportation.

Category:Amtrak routes