The government has announced its Passenger Rail Master Plan, which will include Airdrie. According to the province, Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services.

The government has announced its Passenger Rail Master Plan, which will include Airdrie. According to the province, Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services.The government has announced its Passenger Rail Master Plan, which will include Airdrie. According to the province, Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services. (Graphic credit to the Government of Alberta)

Some of the highlights include rail hubs serving the major cities that would provide linkages between a commuter rail system, regional rail routes and municipal-led mass transit systems, and a commuter rail system for the Calgary area that connects surrounding communities and the Calgary International Airport to downtown.

"We don't want to leave those in surrounding communities on the outside of these mobility solutions. We see the value in a commuter passenger line that connects folks in those communities to the Calgary airport and then on to the downtown core - in the case of Airdrie - for a more streamlined and relaxed commute," said Premier Danielle Smith. 

According to the province, the vision Alberta passenger rail system will include public, private or hybrid passenger rail.

The government has announced its Passenger Rail Master Plan, which will include Airdrie. According to the province, Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services. (Graphic credit to the Government of Alberta)The government has announced its Passenger Rail Master Plan, which will include Airdrie. According to the province, Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will assess the feasibility of passenger rail in the province, including regional (inter-city), commuter and high-speed services. (Graphic credit to the Government of Alberta)

"The Master Plan will take into account future growth, planning for the growing provincial population and considering the use of hydrogen-powered trains to ensure a robust and effective passenger rail system to serve Albertans for years to come."

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, who was also on-hand for the announcement said the master plan will provide the information needed to inform government decisions, including the comprehensive feasibility assessment and a cost-benefit analysis that will identify what elements of a passenger rail system should proceed and when.

"... The plan will identify triggers for implementing infrastructure development, such as population and ridership, as well as the optimal staging and expansion of the system," he added. "As our population grows, it will also identify financial and delivery model options to consider the role of the private sector, the public sector or a hybrid option."

The plan will also assess governance options to develop and operate Alberta's passenger rail system. The master plan will include a 15-year delivery plan, which will provide clear options to the government to lay out the next steps for the government to turn this vision into a reality.

He underlined that Alberta’s government has released a Request for Expression of Interest to, 'seek world-class knowledge and consultant services as a first step toward the development of the Passenger Rail Master Plan for Alberta.'

"Following this process, a Request for Proposal will be issued to select a consultant to develop the Passenger Rail Master Plan. The Master Plan is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025."

The province added that its vision also includes a province-led “Metrolinx-like” Crown corporation with a mandate to develop the infrastructure and oversee daily operations, fare collection/booking systems, system maintenance, and planning for future system expansion.

Other key highlights of the master plan also include a commuter rail system for the Edmonton area that connects surrounding communities and the Edmonton International Airport to downtown, a regional rail line between Calgary and Edmonton, with a local transit hub in Red Deer, and a municipal-led LRT systems in Calgary and Edmonton that integrate with the provincial passenger rail system. 

Budget 2024 includes $9 million to support the development of the Passenger Rail Master Plan this year.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. For breaking news, weather and contest alerts click here