Calgary Airport to Banff rail could soon be a reality

CALGARY — It’s been asked for years: Will there ever be a rail between Banff and Calgary as opposed to the shuttles that we currently have?

The answer to that could soon be yes, as Invest Alberta Corporation announced Thursday that a Memorandum of Understanding had been reached between Alberta Transportation and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to explore the rail.

The CIB says it does plan to support the service and will consider paying for up to half of the $1B project by 2025.

“The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) believes the project has many core elements that are prerequisites for an investment, such as increased economic opportunities, job creation, greenhouse gas reduction and economic inclusion of Indigenous communities,” said the CIB in a statement.

“As such, the CIB reaffirmed its support for the project and entered into a more detailed Memorandum Of Understanding with Alberta Transportation and Invest Alberta to share development costs. The CIB will continue to consider a long-term investment in the project.”

The CIB went on to say the project would create an innovative, environmentally friendly public transit option and help the Town of Banff become more pedestrian-friendly.


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“Residents of First Nations 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.”

Should the rail service come to fruition, there are plans to have a few stops en route to the ending locations that could include downtown Calgary and Canmore.

There are also plans to see up to ten trips between Calgary and Banff each day.

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