BANFF, Alberta — The company seeking to build a rail connection between Calgary International Airport and Banff National Park now says the project will cost C$1.5 billion, and is seeking financial contributions from the province of Alberta.
But the CBC reports Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says that while he believes the project has merit, the government is not yet ready to provide funding.
Liricon Capital Ltd., which owns Banff’s Mount Norquay ski resort and holds a long-term lease on Banff’s train station, has a memorandum of understanding with Canadian Pacific for the project, which would require double tracking of CP’s main line from Calgary through the Rockies. The Canada Infrastructure Bank has indicated interest in the project, which previously was estimated to cost C$1 billion [see “Canada Infrastructure Bank could provide major funding …,” Trains News Wire, July 15, 2021]. Liricon is seeking a commitment of $30 million annually from the province.
In a Wednesday press release, Liricon said it and financial partner Plenary Americas — part of Quebec pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, which is also involved in Montreal’s REM light rail project — had submitted a proposal to the province’s ministry of transportation, Invest Alberta Corp, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank that seeks to make the project a public-private partnership, and would advance the project to the design phase.
Kenney, on Wednesday, said the province is “not at any point ready to commit money on this,” but is closely studying the proposal.
The proposed service would operate trains every 15 minutes between the airport and downtown Calgary, with trips between downtown and Banff every two hours. Liricon says the goal is to have hydrogen-powered trainsets, although it might initially use diesel power. Supporters say the project would address heavy highway traffic between Calgary and the national park, boost tourism, and reduce carbon emissions.
Via Rail Canada’s ‘Canadian’ should return to its original route through Calgary and Banff Park, supplementing the proposed rail shuttle while also connecting Banff to Vancouver.
‘The Super Continental’ could be restored on its former route through Saskatoon, Edmonton and Jasper Park with a section from Montreal combined with the Toronto section.
Yeah, and run it through the Rockies during the day! I was going to take it a few years back, when it still existed as such, until I discovered that it left Calgary westbound in the evening. Because yes, I want to take the train through the prairies during the day and through the Canadian Rockies at night. Yes I know, it’s transportation not sightseeing, but no one took the Canadian merely for transportation.
Every 15 minutes (assumes a full plane load every 30 minutes)? There can’t be that much demand and probably very little in the off seasons. They could save $ 1.4 billion by using busses which could pick up and deliver at hotels (what a concept!). Banff ski resorts are all out of town anyway.
The proposal calls for 15-minute headways between the airport and downtown Calgary. The trains to Banff would run on two-hour headways.
I misread the article but it still doesn’t make sense. Someone going to Banff is either going to be on a bus tour (particularly foreign tourists) or will need a car. About the only destination people can walk to in Banff is Bow Falls. For the rest of the park (and Jasper) they will need a car or a tour ticket. People needing a car would best rent one at the airport. The biggest market might be the tour companies as it would save them them the Calgary to Banff leg. To me this is just another example of how the politicians can waste taxpayers’ money. No doubt they will want to spend more money and electrify the route.
I can see from the rendering they are already proposing to save funds by not using ballast to support the track. 😉