Premier Danielle Smith says a robust passenger train system in Alberta will be key in meeting her government's goal of having a $25 billion tourism economy. United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith addresses party members at their annual meeting in Red Deer, Alta., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (Photo: Canadian Press)

By Canadian Press

Alberta Premier Smith says passenger train system key to meeting tourism goals

Nov 22, 2024 | 2:08 PM

Premier Danielle Smith says a robust passenger train system in Alberta will be key to meeting her government’s goal of having a $25-billion tourism economy.

She says such a system would include not only a high-speed train connecting Edmonton and Calgary, but also trains linking airports to city centres and Rocky Mountain tourist destinations.

The province’s vision is for an Alberta passenger rail system that includes public, private or 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
• passenger rail that runs between Calgary and Edmonton and the Rocky Mountain parks
• 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
• rail hubs serving the major cities that would provide linkages between a commuter rail system, regional rail routes and municipal-led mass transit systems

Smith told a forum in Calgary today it’s a transportation style that international visitors expect and it provides a safe way to commute.

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She says building the system will take a lot of planning and infrastructure, as well as a whole new Crown corporation.

The government says it will have a plan in place next summer outlining the feasibility of the system, as well as potential service delivery options and a 15-year timeline to build.

The government has also launched a survey to get Albertans’ input on what they’d like to see in a provincial passenger train system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.