Overview
Alberta’s government is engaging with the private sector and industry proponents to help inform the development of a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) that will assess private‑sector market capacity, financing approaches, business models and investment strategies to advance passenger rail in the province.
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.
We are seeking feedback on whether it is feasible to finance, deliver, operate and maintain all or a portion of the 30-Year Network with no or significantly limited government funding.
Get informed
Learn more about passenger rail, Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan and the 30-Year Passenger Rail Network.
Virtual webinar
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 and inform participants about the RFEI process for privately-led project submissions.
Get involved
Private-sector organizations or companies interested in participating in market consultations or the RFEI process can email the Passenger Rail team at [email protected] and indicate the primary contact person for their company.
A selection of equity providers, contractors and engineering firms will be invited to participate in 1:1 market consultations during summer/fall 2026.
Timeline
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June 2026 - Passenger Rail Master Plan released
The Passenger Rail Master Plan was shared with the private sector in an industry roundtable.
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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 (RFEI) process for privately-led project submissions.
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August to October 2026 - 1:1 Market consultations
Meeting with equity providers to seek feedback on RFEI process and meeting with contractors and engineering firms to understand private sector’s capacity to deliver the 30-Year Network.
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December 2026 - RFEI release
Seek project submissions to advance portions of the 30-Year Network.
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April 2027 - RFEI closes
Deadline for RFEI submissions.
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Spring 2027 - Submission assessment
Assessment of RFEI submissions to determine next steps to advance passenger rail.
Outcomes
Input from industry and private sector stakeholders will help assess conditions required to maximize global marketplace participation, business models and market capacity to advance passenger rail in the province.
The input will help inform the development of a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) which will seek to:
- Identify private equity providers, developers and other private sector parties who have the interest and capacity to finance the delivery, operations and maintenance of all, or a portion of, the 30-Year Network with no or limited government funding.
- Identify the policy, planning, regulatory and/or funding supports required from the Government of Alberta to support the private sector to deliver, operate and maintain all or a portion of the 30-Year Network.
- Explore opportunities and constraints associated with private sector delivery of passenger rail.
- Enable government to develop options and make decisions on implementing the 30-Year Passenger Rail Network.
Contact
Connect with the passenger rail team:
Email: [email protected]