Alberta-Montana passenger rail service proposed

After entering Lethbridge on the rail line that runs parallel to Highway 3, it would allow passengers to get on and off next to the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.

Upon crossing the border by Coutts into the U.S., those on board would have the option of finishing their journey in the Montana communities of Shelby, Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, or Livingston.

Integrated Travel cites a few reasons why it believes something like this would be beneficial.

Economic benefits

The group says the project holds “significant promise” for stimulating economic growth by fostering business development and creating jobs.

Much of that growth would come from increased tourism spending, especially in smaller communities along the route.

“Passenger rail connectivity has been proven to increase tourist arrivals to destinations along the railway, which suggests that the stations between Calgary and Livingston would enhance tourism in smaller communities, providing travelers with opportunities to explore lesser-known attractions, support local businesses, and engage with the unique culture and heritage of each town,” reads a portion of the report from Integrated Travel.

They say there are currently no direct flights between southern Alberta and Bozeman or Great Falls, meaning those who do not have their own vehicles have no easy way of traveling and taking advantage of each area’s tourism opportunities.

Travel Alberta recently reported that international tourism had fully rebounded from pre-pandemic levels in 2023.

READ: Alberta tourism rebounds to pre-pandemic levels

Improving safety

The report claims that rail is one of the safest methods of transportation.

The fatality rate for car travel is reportedly almost 17 times that of trains.

“When comparing railway travel to road travel, railway tracks create a controlled environment that minimizes the risk of collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians, while cars are subject to human error and variable road conditions,” says Integrated Travel. “This is especially true for Alberta and Montana, which are areas that experience heavy snowfall in the winter.

Reducing emissions

The study states that the transportation sector accounts for roughly 22 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the report, “A life cycle analysis of both railways and highways shows that railway infrastructure and operation has a lower overall impact than highways, and requires less ongoing maintenance.”

Comparing the carbon emissions for rail and vehicle, anyone looking to travel between Calgary and Livingston would reduce their CO2 output by as much as 75 per cent by taking a train.

Rail travel would also cause a reduction of micro-contaminants from tires, oils, and other toxic substances.

At the time of publication, Integrated Travel has not reached any agreements to proceed with the proposed rail route and does not have a cost estimate for the project.

They say they are open to all types of funding models, whether it comes from various governments, public-private partnerships, or is entirely privately funded.

Use this link to access the full Alberta-Montana Passenger Rail Feasibility Report.