High Speed Banff-Calgary Train A Step Closer to Reality

High Speed Banff-Calgary Train A Step Closer to Reality

July 15, 2021 ctn_admin

High frequency passenger rail service between Calgary and Banff is one step closer to reality after three senior government groups signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the project.

Invest Alberta Corporation, the Alberta Ministry of Transportation and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) announced a detailed memorandum of understanding. The CIB has reaffirmed support for the project and will continue to consider a long-term investment.

Invest Alberta, on behalf of Alberta Transportation, will engage with the market place over the summer. The Government of Alberta will continue to assess the project, including seeking input from municipalities and Indigenous communities, and the potential to advance the project under a long term model that would attract investment, and ensure the project can be supported for many years in the future.

The project would support Alberta’s economy by creating a critical airport rail link to downtown Calgary and Banff National Park, increasing tourism opportunities and labour mobility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing congestion in the travel corridor. The project would also support the Banff National Park Net Zero 2035 initiative.

The Calgary-Banff Rail project proposes a new, 150-kilometre sustainable passenger rail service that would potentially include seven stops (Calgary International Airport, downtown Calgary, Calgary Keith, Cochrane, Morley (Stoney Nakoda), Canmore and Banff) along a dedicated line built within the existing CP Rail corridor. The service could have up to ten departures per day from the airport to Banff and the capability of running an express service from Calgary International Airport to downtown Calgary every 15 minutes.

If approved, the project would create an innovative, environmentally friendly public transit option and help the Town of Banff become more pedestrian friendly and support the Banff National Park Net Zero 2035 Initiative. Residents of Indigenous communities would see increased employment opportunities with easier access into Calgary, Banff, Canmore and Cochrane.

Visitors to tourism, cultural and recreational areas in Calgary and in the communities along the line would also benefit from more convenient and efficient travel from the airport and nearby communities. The project would also support commercial expansion and job creation at the Calgary International Airport.

“The YYC-Calgary-Banff rail project has the potential to be the first airport-to-mountain community transit solution of its kind in North America, making Alberta an even more compelling destination for global visitors year-round, ” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. “I’m proud of Invest Alberta’s work with Alberta Transportation and Canada Infrastructure Bank to explore innovative public-private partnerships like this passenger rail solution which may even be the first hydrogen train in North America.

“I have been a huge advocate for this project since being elected in 2019. The potential for a beautiful hydrogen powered passenger rail service running through the Rocky Mountains creates a tremendous opportunity to attract new international visitors to Alberta and grow our tourism industry in an environmentally sustainable way,” said Miranda Rosin, MLA for Banff-Kananaskis.

“I’m excited to see sustainable rail service connecting the Calgary International Airport, our downtown and the Town of Banff moving forward,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “This would be a boost to our travel and tourism industry, and I’m happy to see progress is being made.”

“The return of passenger rail connecting Calgary and Banff has long been identified as a way to take traffic congestion off our highways and mountain roads, while improving the overall experience for people visiting Canada’s first national park. Bow Valley communities have been working to bring back affordable mass transit for a number of years and we are excited to see progress on development of an environmentally-responsible service that would connect workers with jobs throughout the valley, reduce vehicle emissions, and provide a fantastic way to enjoy this special place in the Rockies,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen, Town of Banff.