Didsbury, Alberta Dec 10, 2021 (Issuewire.com) - Alberta Regional Rail is working with 20 Municipalities and Counties to improve mobility and commerce between Calgary and Edmonton. The project is fully costed and shovel-ready. Servicing 4 million residents along the Hwy 2A corridor by 2027.
Alberta Regional Rail uses passenger rail cars and technology that is "off the shelf" and available now, funding would be sourced and provided through a Public-Private Partnership model.
The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is a center of economic and cultural dynamism and strong communities. The region is a preferred place to live for newcomers to Canada, a beacon to young people seeking to launch their careers, and a safe, enjoyable place for parents to raise their children.
The Alberta Regional Rail passenger service offers residents and visitors a dependable, congestion-free commute between Calgary and Edmonton. Initially, a minimum of four round-trip trains will link all 20 communities every weekday between Calgary and Edmonton, with stops in:
Strathcona
South Edmonton
Nisku - Edmonton International Airport
Millet
Ponoka
Lacombe
Blackfalds
Red Deer
Penhold - Red Deer Regional Airport
Innisfail
Bowden
Olds
Carstairs
Crossfield
Airdrie
Calgary
Ten round-trip trains are scheduled to run every weekday between:
- Innisfail - Lacombe
- Olds - Calgary
- Ponoka - Edmonton
Alberta Regional Rail is researching the possibility to power the trains with hydrogen fuel cells. The trains will run along the freight track corridors owned by Canadian Pacific Railway and CN. Alberta Regional Rail will own the stations and work with local communities and developers to create an integrated transportation hub linking local transit to the regional travel system.
Presentations and engagements are ongoing with the indigenous communities and local governments along the proposed right of way, following the 2021 Municipal and County elections in October.
Alberta Regional Rail thanks the Town of Didsbury, Stettler County, and the City of Leduc for providing their support for this initiative.
Alberta Regional Rail is providing presentations to Wetaskiwin, Blackfalds, and Airdrie Councils this month and looks forward to obtaining feedback and further support from the remaining jurisdictions within 30 days.
Town Managers, Councilors, Reeves, and Mayors are working with Alberta Regional Rail to identify their needs and incorporate their four-year development plans that include:
- provision of overpasses
- downtown redevelopment
- transit-oriented design
- local attractions,
- sports and live entertainment events
- culinary tourism marketing support for the hospitality sector was hard hit by the pandemic.
Alberta Regional Rail has polled hundreds of employees who live in central Calgary and Edmonton who work in management for offices in Wetaskiwin, Didsbury, Blackfalds, and Lacombe. To say they are supportive is an understatement.
The completion of the Alberta Regional Rail project will encourage more day trips by residents of Alberta within the Central Alberta, Calgary, and Edmonton tourism regions, especially during the winter months.
83 % of tourism dollars spent in Alberta are by Albertans visiting family and friends, attending sports tournaments, weddings, live entertainment festivals, shopping trips, etc. Special holiday and "Battle of Alberta" trains will increase the rivalry between NHL and CFL franchises.
In fact, in 2017, of the 36.9 tourist visits, 30.8 million visits were by Albertans that provided $4.824 Billion to the tourism and hospitality sectors. ( Alberta visitor profiles | Alberta.ca)
As soon as the local governments provide input, the final proposal will be offered to the railways that own the right of way.
Alberta Regional Rail quick facts:
• Trains travel at speeds reaching 145 kph.
• The trip between Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport will take about 2 and a half hours
• The trip between the Didsbury Station and Downtown Calgary will take about 40 minutes.
• Each comfortable, climate-controlled, restroom-equipped coach has seating for 148 passengers including up to four passengers in wheelchairs.
• The trains offer free wireless internet access, worktables, high-back cloth upholstered seats, surge-protected outlets for laptop computers and USB charging, overhead storage, bicycle storage, and cup holder.
The route
Alberta Regional Rail trains run about 300 km between downtown Calgary and Strathcona.
Fares
Fares are based on distance traveled. The price of a ticket starts with a base fare of $4 between stations, additional discounts will be provided for youth, students, the elderly, advanced bookings and season passes. A standard adult one-way fare from Airdrie to Calgary International Airport will be $4, and from Maskwacis to Nisku/Edmonton International Airport will be $12.
A key part of the regional, seamless network is an agreement among the area’s transit agencies to use a single regional smart card.
Riders simply “tap” their regional travel system card on a card reader onboard community buses or at the regional rail station or light rail platform and the correct fare, including any transfer value, is automatically deducted.
The public’s help
The location and design of stations is a collaborative effort between Alberta Regional Rail, Canadian Pacific, and CN Railways, local governments, citizens, community organizations, businesses, and artists.
About ARR
An integrated travel system offering residents and visitors within the Calgary to Edmonton corridor links to Local Transit and Alberta’s international airports via an affordable regional rail network. The scenery is superb en route and the regional rail network stops at communities that offer cool attractions, entertainment, and hospitality options.
Charles Adler and Corus Entertainment invited Alberta Regional Rail to discuss our Alberta Passenger Rail #green alternative and #CanadianCommonSense.
https://omny.fm/shows/charles-adler-tonight/how-an-hyperloop-rail-could-be-impacting-commute-b
Media Contact
Alberta Regional Railway vern.r@abrailway.com +1 587-503-5555 PO Box 70065 Creekside RPO https://abrailway.com
