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Passenger rail industry engagement

This engagement gathers industry input on the potential role of the private sector in advancing a passenger rail network in Alberta.

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Overview

Alberta’s government is engaging with the private sector and industry proponents to assess private‑sector market capacity, financing approaches, business models and investment strategies to advance passenger rail in the province.

Input received through the engagement was intended to inform the development of a Request for Expression of Interest. Alberta’s government is transitioning to a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a downtown Calgary-Red Deer-downtown Edmonton high-speed rail (HSR) project that also includes service to Alberta’s 2 largest airports and the City of Airdrie.

Private sector involvement is vital in developing a passenger rail system for Alberta. The size and scope of the 30-Year Network identified in Alberta’s Passenger Rail Master Plan will require significant participation and investment from the private sector.

Get informed

Learn more about passenger rail, Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan, the 30-Year Passenger Rail Network and the Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Calgary-Edmonton HSR connection.

A virtual webinar for the private sector was held on July 30 to provide an overview of the 30-Year Network included in the Passenger Rail Master Plan. 

Input received

Early input from the virtual webinar and 1:1 market consultations with equity providers, contractors, engineering firms, industry and private sector stakeholders held this summer and fall will help inform the competitive RFP process for the HSR  project.

Status

  • Open

  • Results under review

    Reviewing input from the virtual webinar and 1:1 market consultations.

  • Completed

Who is listening

Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors

Timeline

  • April 2027 - Preferred proponent selected

    Alberta’s government plans to select a preferred proponent by April 2027.

     

  • Spring 2027 - Evaluation of RFP submissions

    The preferred proponent will be expected to provide a project proposal that includes minimal financial investment from the provincial government and identifies seamless connections to existing light rail transit (LRT) systems in downtown Calgary and downtown Edmonton.
     

  • Late-November 2026 - RFP opens

    Private-sector proponents can submit proposals for a downtown Calgary-Red Deer-downtown Edmonton HSR project that also includes service to Alberta’s 2 largest airports and the City of Airdrie.

  • August to September 2026 - 1:1 market consultations

    Meeting with equity providers, contractors and engineering firms to understand private sector’s capacity to deliver the 30-Year Network.

  • July 2026 - Virtual webinar for industry

    Virtual webinar shared information with the private sector on the 30-Year Network and Request for Expression of Interest process for privately-led project submissions.

  • June 2026 - Passenger Rail Master Plan released

    The Passenger Rail Master Plan was shared with the private sector in an industry roundtable.

Next steps

The RFP for a downtown Calgary to Red Deer to downtown Edmonton HSR project will open in late-November 2026.

Planning for an RFP information webinar is also underway. More information will be posted when available.

We will select the successful proponent by April 2027. 

Outcomes

Equity providers, contractors, engineering firms, industry and private sector stakeholders participating in this industry engagement will continue to inform the RFP process including an RFP information webinar.   

Contact

Connect with the passenger rail team:
Email: [email protected]

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