Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan is complete, providing a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of passenger rail in the province. The plan looks decades ahead and identifies a passenger rail network that could be developed over 30 years, including regional and commuter services and connections to Alberta’s international airports.
A $15-million investment will advance the next phase of passenger rail planning. Initial work is already underway to examine connections between Edmonton and Calgary’s light-rail transit systems and international airports. Alberta’s government will also engage with industry to assess private-sector capacity, financing approaches, business models and investment opportunities to advance passenger rail.
“Major infrastructure projects don’t happen overnight. They require thoughtful planning, strong partnerships and a clear vision for the future. The Passenger Rail Master Plan gives us that foundation. This investment will help advance the next phase of planning as we explore opportunities to better connect Alberta’s communities, airports and economic hubs.”
“We know passenger rail connections between Calgary and Edmonton and their international airports are a priority for Albertans. Our initial work will focus on these connections, allowing us to plan for a network of rail services that connect with LRT, transit and the airports to make it easier for Albertans to get where they need to go.”
The Passenger Rail Master Plan identifies a phased 30-Year Network focused on the passenger rail connections with the greatest potential demand and economic benefit, including:
- High-speed (more than 300 km/h) regional service between Edmonton and Calgary via Red Deer with more than one train an hour.
- Higher-speed (more than 160 km/h) regional service between Calgary and Banff with up to one train an hour.
- Frequent airport-express and commuter rail service, including all-day service every 20 minutes for Calgary International Airport, Airdrie, Edmonton International Airport and St. Albert, and commuter-peak services for other connections.
“Rail service connecting YEG to downtown Edmonton will make travel easier for passengers and strengthen our visitor economy. Major event organizers increasingly expect direct mass transit connections between airports and city centres, and this investment will help Edmonton compete for more conferences, sporting events and international visitors.”
“As YYC continues to grow, so does the need for stronger, more connected transportation options. In a region the size of ours, that kind of connectivity is essential. A rail link will help strengthen how people move between our airport, city and destinations across Alberta, while supporting continued growth for tourism and business across our region. We’ve planned for this kind of connection at YYC, and we’re ready to keep working with partners to help advance it."
The development of the Passenger Rail Master Plan involved extensive engagement with Albertans, municipalities, Indigenous communities, passenger rail stakeholders and rail experts from around the world to ensure a variety of perspectives were heard. Albertans strongly voiced their support for passenger rail and a preference for higher-speed rail connections with shorter travel times across the province.
Quick facts
- More than 20,000 Albertans provided feedback on passenger rail through a Passenger Rail Forum held in November 2024, a public survey, stakeholder information sessions and open houses.
- 80 per cent of Albertans surveyed strongly supported expanded passenger rail networks.
- In addition, dedicated engagements were held with other governments, economic development groups, climate and conservation associations, advocacy groups, industry, transportation agencies and providers, airports, Class 1 railway owners and other parties, and representatives from more than 50 Indigenous communities and organizations throughout Alberta.
- Budget 2026 includes $15 million over three years to support the first steps to advance this work.
Related news
- Alberta’s future runs on rails (Nov. 22, 2024)