Beginning in October, Amtrak’s Empire Builder route will change to three times a week stops in Minot.

The westbound train, No. 7, will leave Chicago and travel to Seattle on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

The eastbound train, No. 8, will leave Seattle and travel the route to Chicago on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Train No. 27 will leave Chicago on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Train No. 28 will leave Portland, Ore., on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The changes will become effective the week of Oct. 10.

Most of Amtrak’s long distance routes will move to the three times a week schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic and what Amtrak calls the resulting decrease in travel demand.