Commuter & Regional Rail

[northlands]

Sus. Shouldn't engagement on such a big project be led by a public agency, not costly for-profit consultants?

This is standard public sector practice on virtually every large infrastructure project.

 

[The_Cat]

 

[CplKlinger]

The province launched a survey on passenger rail today; it closes on December 20. They also hosted a conference with international experts today.

 

[fromyeg]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-passenger-rail-plan-1.7391158

According to the article, we will see a plan in Summer 2025. Goal is to have the rail system built out by 2040.

 

[David A]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-passenger-rail-plan-1.7391158

According to the article, we will see a plan in Summer 2025. Goal is to have the rail system built out by 2040.

So there will be nothing built or under construction before the next election or probably even several after that?

 

[archited]

An overview of the regional rail system proposed by the Provincial Government -- https://www.townandcountrytoday.com...-track-for-passenger-rail-renaissance-9935214

 

[Glenco]

An overview of the regional rail system proposed by the Provincial Government -- https://www.townandcountrytoday.com...-track-for-passenger-rail-renaissance-9935214

Exactly what do they mean by Transit hub in Red Deer? I don’t see the necessity for one there.

 

[The_Cat]

Perhaps something that could connect to transit service in Red Deer’s surrounding areas. Surrounding communities like Sylvan Lake and Lacombe probably add up to over 50,000 residents.

 

[HappyJazzz]

Yep, the towns around Red Deer are growing to the point where a small commuter rail system could be setup as pseudo LRT, from Lacombe down to Innisfail, and out to Sylvan too.

Would act as a good feeder into the HSR stop as well.

The article was pretty light on details, but good to see a Jasper train is on the province's short list.

Having trains to Ft Mac and Grand Prairie was somewhat surprising, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to plan ahead..

Very interested in seeing where they intend to terminate those lines.. Expanding the existing VIA station sort of makes sense, but it wouldn't be a fully unified station like Calgary will get with HSR too.

Real damn shame the city botched the DT rail yard decom.

 

[MacLac]

An overview of the regional rail system proposed by the Provincial Government -- https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/local-news/alberta-lays-track-for-passenger-rail-renaissance-99352

Yep, the towns around Red Deer are growing to the point where a small commuter rail system could be setup as pseudo LRT, from Lacombe down to Innisfail, and out to Sylvan too.

Would act as a good feeder into the HSR stop as well.

The article was pretty light on details, but good to see a Jasper train is on the province's short list.

Having trains to Ft Mac and Grand Prairie was somewhat surprising, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to plan ahead..

Very interested in seeing where they intend to terminate those lines.. Expanding the existing VIA station sort of makes sense, but it wouldn't be a fully unified station like Calgary will get with HSR too.

Real damn shame the city botched the DT rail yard decom.

I’m not……Smitty and her pipe dreams will be punted before they move an inch of dirt…….

 

[Glenco]

I’m not……Smitty and her pipe dreams will be punted before they move an inch of dirt…….

I agree there is no need for a transport hub at this point in time when most people around there are devoted truck drivers. As you say just a politically correct thing to say in support of her pipe dream.

 

[CplKlinger]

Exactly what do they mean by Transit hub in Red Deer? I don’t see the necessity for one there.

I personally don't think it's as grand a proposal as some others here are speculating; I really think they're just referring to a transfer hub for local transit, plus perhaps a park and ride of some sort for regional users, and at most some space for commercial buses. Just speculation on my part, but I think they mean transit in the literal sense here, rather than a "grand central station-lite". And if I am right, then I think it's actually a good idea, because it'd help train passengers get around Red Deer much easier upon disembarking.

 

[David A]

Yep, the towns around Red Deer are growing to the point where a small commuter rail system could be setup as pseudo LRT, from Lacombe down to Innisfail, and out to Sylvan too.

Would act as a good feeder into the HSR stop as well.

The article was pretty light on details, but good to see a Jasper train is on the province's short list.

Having trains to Ft Mac and Grand Prairie was somewhat surprising, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to plan ahead..

Very interested in seeing where they intend to terminate those lines.. Expanding the existing VIA station sort of makes sense, but it wouldn't be a fully unified station like Calgary will get with HSR too.

Real damn shame the city botched the DT rail yard decom.

There is a good vision here and nice to see it includes Jasper and the north, as well as southern Alberta. Edmonton has an opportunity to fix its middle of nowhere VIA station mistake with commuter rail, but it will not be easy.

Sadly, so far we have been a city that doesn't value tourists, commuters or our downtown. The lack of planning and vision by our past city governments here shows.

 

[Coprolite]

Exactly what do they mean by Transit hub in Red Deer? I don’t see the necessity for one there.

Red Deer Transit currently connects Red Deer to Blackfalds, Lacombe, Penhold and Innisfail as well as reaching the parts of Red Deer that are far from Red Deer. It would make sense to have the train station as a terminal/transfer station for their major bus lines.

 

[Coprolite]

The article was pretty light on details, but good to see a Jasper train is on the province's short list.

It'll be interesting to see what happens after they see how much upgrade to the existing track is going to be needed to make a service like this not suck. Edmonton to Jasper currently takes 6.5 hours by train, if it keeps to schedule.