28 August 2005
Oberg Not on Track with Speed Train
A report by the Van Horne Institute claims there would be sufficient ridership to support
construction of a high-speed rail system between Calgary and Edmonton.
But Alberta Transportation Minister Lyle Oberg isn't jumping on board just yet.
Oberg wants to commission another market research study to verify the claim 22% of Queen Elizabeth II Highway commuters would take the
train, said spokesman Bart Johnson.
"The minister questioned some of the findings in relation to how many people might use high-speed rail," Johnson
said.
"He wants to look into it, further discuss it with his colleagues and perhaps do some further market research."
That's okay with the Van Horne Institute, which recommended the province do just that in the 130-page study it released
last October.
"I am delighted they are going to be taking the next step which would be to test the market numbers because at the end of the
day, that's what is going to drive it," said Van Horne Institute president Peter Wallis.
"The next study will only confirm it and may even show there are some increased numbers."
The Van Horne study suggested the 300-km high-speed line paralleling the highway is technically feasible,
and pegged the cost at between $1.7 billion and $3.4 billion.
The cost depends on whether existing Canadian Pacific Railway tracks are upgraded for a 240-km/h turbine locomotive or
whether a new line would be built to accommodate a 300-km/h electric train.
The high-speed line has the support of the provincial Liberals, who think rail can reduce traffic deaths, conserve energy
and help the environment.
"I see it as a worthwhile future investment - sort of getting ahead of the game," said Liberal transportation critic Harry
Chase.
But he said the project should be built with public money and not in a partnership with corporations.
"I personally oppose P3s, which I see as private profiteering at public expense," he said.
Alberta premier Ralph Klein has said in the past he's not keen on taxpayers footing the bill, but the CPR has said that's the only way
it will go ahead.
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