Alberta's passenger rail master plan scheduled for summer 2025 release

The Alberta government reiterated its plans Friday to move forward on a passenger rail system for the province, with a goal to finish its master plan by summer 2025.

The project will include a 15-year delivery plan, aiming to introduce commuter rail connecting Calgary and Edmonton's downtowns to the cities' respective airports and surrounding communities, as well a line that runs between Calgary and Edmonton with a stop in Red Deer, and lines that run from Alberta's major cities to the mountain parks.

The province first announced its intention to work on a master plan for passenger rail around the province in April.

Now seeking further consultation, the province launched an online survey on Friday for public input. The survey, which asks Albertans for their opinions on issues like fare price, rail alignment and the system's speed, will be open until Dec. 20.

Premier Danielle Smith said there will be regional open houses next year for more feedback.

"We want to connect communities, alleviate congestion, bring more safety to our roads and highways, and entice tourists to visit more of our province," Smith said Friday at a passenger rail forum in Calgary. "All of this can be achieved by advancing passenger rail in Alberta."

The idea of a train line connecting Calgary and Edmonton has long been debated, and Smith said plans may have been held up in the past for being too big, too soon. But such a system will become a bigger concern now as Alberta's population grows, she said.

Smith said a Crown corporation similar to Ontario's Metrolinx could oversee daily operations, as well as develop infrastructure, fare collection, maintenance and expansion. Smith said such a corporation could still work with private companies that deliver the lines.

The premier said the province also wants to develop a transit hub similar to Toronto's Union Station, which acts as a stop for multiple transit services, like passenger rail, light rail and buses.

Alberta's exploration of passenger rail comes as the province and City of Calgary work with infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to design a new downtown alignment for the proposed Green Line LRT. Any new transit developments such as the Green Line would need to leave room for future passenger rail, Smith said.

Via Rail president and CEO Mario Péloquin told CBC News that Alberta's goal to introduce the system by 2040 is realistic if the province is driven enough.

Péloquin, who attended the news conference, said he thinks the system would be popular in Alberta, offering a more environmentally-friendly alternative to flying, and offering drivers a safer way to travel between cities during the winter.

Alberta's growing population is another reason why this long-discussed idea is more realistic to consider now, he said.

"A few years ago, I would have said probably not a viable idea," Péloquin said. "Today, with the growth in both major cities and some of the other cities, it's a lot more viable to do it now."