High-speed rail pushed

							High-speed rail pushed
Jun 23 2005


By HARLEY RICHARDS
Advocate business editor
Photo by JERRY GERLING/Advocate staff
Peter Wallis, president and CEO of the
Van Horne Institute, during his
presentation to the Chamber: $625,000
study on high-speed rail.
The head of a non-profit foundation that
conducted a preliminary study into the
feasibility of a high-speed rail line
between Calgary and Edmonton remains
convinced the idea has merit.
And it might not hurt to give the
province a bit of a nudge to set the
wheels in motion.
Peter Wallis, president and CEO of the
Van Horne Institute, spoke at a Red
Deer Chamber of Commerce luncheon
on Wednesday. He shared with his
audience highlights of the $625,000
study, which was issued in October.
It estimated that a high-speed rail link
would bring economic benefits of $3.7
billion to $6.1 billion to the province over a 30-year period. Greenhouse gas
emissions would be reduced by between 1.8 million and 3.1 million tonnes.
Wallis said high-speed rail would also help establish the Calgary-Edmonton corridor
as a single economic unit, improving its competitive position.
The study also concluded there is sufficient demand to support such a service.
In 2003, there were between 5.2 million and 6.6 million one-way person trips
between Edmonton and Calgary, and a further 2.4 million to 3.7 million trips
between Red Deer and the two major cities.
The study estimated that 22 to 28 per cent could be converted to rail travel. Two
alternatives for a high-speed rail line were proposed: a 310-km route along the
existing Canadian Pacific Railway right-of-way, and a 294-km line over a mostly new
right-of-way.
The first option would cost about $1.7 billion, while the other would be $2.6 billion to
$3.4 billion, depending whether it was for a turbine or electric train.
But the new line would result in faster service: 45 minutes for an electric train and
53 for a turbine train from Red Deer to Edmonton or Calgary, compared with 65
minutes from Red Deer on the CPR route, which could only handle a turbine train.
One-way fares from Red Deer could be expected to run about $35, with 10
departures on weekdays and five on weekends.
Wallis pointed out that suburban stations proposed for the outskirts of Calgary and
Edmonton could make these cities' international airports more accessible to Central
Albertans - possibly to the detriment to the Red Deer Regional Airport.
The study recommended a more detailed assessment, and discussions with the CPR,
transportation companies, governments and other stakeholders and potential
partners.
The study and its recommendations were presented to the provincial government,
which in turn passed them along to the Alberta Economic Development Authority,
said Wallis.
It hasn't moved as quickly as people thought it would," he acknowledged, suggesting
that the Red Deer Chamber might help encourage action by passing a resolution
supporting the project.
Wallis agreed that rising oil prices have strengthened the case for high-speed rail,
and also noted that it will take six to seven years to complete the line after the work
has been authorized.
Wallis later expressed a view that the leadership for this type of project must come
come from government, even if the private sector is going to participate.
Although a high-speed rail link between Calgary and Edmonton would be the first in
Canada, he said such projects have been undertaken in Europe, Asia and the United
States.