Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead welcomes the released of the Calgary-Bow Valley Mass Transit study and looks forward to hearing more from the partnering municipalities of which Cochrane is a member.

“Our government is looking forward to reviewing the findings of the Bow Valley transit study,” says MLA Westhead. “We understand that municipalities along the Bow Valley corridor will be discussing the findings of the study in the near future. We look forward to hearing more from the Town of Banff and the partner municipalities once they have had the opportunity to consider the study results and determine their next steps.”

The study released yesterday confirmed a bus-rail mass transit system is possible between Calgary and Banff and Cochrane Mayor Genung has volunteered to spearhead the thurst to make it a reality. Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Improvement District 9, which is based in Lake Louise, funded the study, completed by CPCS In association with sub-contractors Dillon Consulting Ltd., Dominion Railway Services Ltd. and Iron Moustache.

Westhead says the government always looks forward to looking at ways to enhance transit options that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on our highways.

“I hear again and again how affordability is a significant challenge we must face in the Bow Valley," says Westhead. "The options presented in this study for transit between Calgary and the Bow Valley could make important improvements when it comes to affordability in our region.”

He says the Alberta government is committed to enhancing transit options through the Alberta Community Transit Fund, the Rural Transportation Pilot Program and ongoing Green TRIP investments. 

The study estimates a bus service could have total ridership ranging from 200,000 to 490,000 bus boardings per year. For Passenger Rail, ridership is estimated between 220,000 and 620,000 per year in the first year, on the full route.

It concludes the partnering municipalities can't do it on their own and will be seeking the assistance of the provincial and federal government,

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