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Alberta Premier Smith says passenger train system key to meeting tourism goals

  • Jack Farrell

    Jack Farrell

  • Canadian Press

  • November 22, 2024

<p>Premier Danielle Smith says a robust passenger train system in Alberta will be key in meeting her government's goal of having a $25 billion tourism economy. United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith addresses party members at their annual meeting in Red Deer, Alta., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh</p>

CALGARY -- Premier Danielle Smith says a robust passenger train system in Alberta will be key to meeting her government's goal of having a $25-billion tourism economy.

She says such a system would include not only a high-speed train connecting Edmonton and Calgary, but also trains linking airports to city centres and Rocky Mountain tourist destinations.

Smith told a forum in Calgary today it's a transportation style that international visitors expect and it provides a safe way to commute.

She says building the system will take a lot of planning and infrastructure, as well as a whole new Crown corporation.

The government says it will have a plan in place next summer outlining the feasibility of the system, as well as potential service delivery options and a 15-year timeline to build.

The government has also launched a survey to get Albertans' input on what they'd like to see in a provincial passenger train system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.