Alberta is determined to bring passenger rail to the province, bringing together industry experts to create a master plan.
Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen are hosting a one-day forum in Calgary Friday, where Alberta communities, industry, and experts will collaborate and share information on the opportunities and challenges of passenger rail.
The province says the forum includes experts from Ontario, Quebec, California, Italy, Spain, and Japan who are involved in passenger rail procurement.
“We believe there is opportunity and demand for passenger rail services in Alberta,” Smith said.
An online survey has also been launched for members of the public to have their say on the idea. It is open until Dec. 20 and can be found on the government’s website.
The province says more opportunities will be available in the future for Albertans to give their input, including regional open houses early next year.
Dreeshen is encouraging everyone to provide their feedback.
“Feedback from Albertans, Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities, and industry will be critically important to developing passenger rail services in Alberta,” he said.
A plan for a passenger rail system in Alberta has been a topic of conversation for some time, but came closer to reality in April, when Smith first introduced the idea of the Passenger Rail Master Plan.
The province’s plan would include public, private, and hybrid passenger rail including a commuter rail system for the Calgary area that connects surrounding communities and the Calgary International Airport to downtown, a commuter rail system for the Edmonton area that connects surrounding communities and the Edmonton International Airport to downtown, and a passenger rail that runs between Calgary and Edmonton and the Rocky Mountain parks.
Also on the table is a regional rail line between Calgary and Edmonton with a local transit hub in Red Deer, municipal-led LRT systems in Calgary and Edmonton that integrate with the provincial passenger rail system, and rail hubs serving the major cities that would connect between a commuter rail system, regional rail routes and municipal-led mass transit systems.
The province says the ultimate goal is a government-led “Metrolinx-like” Crown corporation that will develop infrastructure and oversee daily operations, fare collection and booking systems, system maintenance, and expansion planning.
Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan is expected to be completed by summer 2025 and will include a feasibility assessment, financial and delivery model options, governance and operations recommendations, a 15-year development plan, and public engagement.