[Otto-matic]

The Town of Banff is now attempting to revive passenger rail service in southern Alberta with a proposed route from Calgary to Lake Louise, using Canadian Pacific Railway’s existing tracks.

Town officials argue the new train would cut traffic congestion in the national park and surrounding area while boosting tourism. But there are concerns the bid will compete for scarce government funding with Calgary’s plans for LRT lines, which one councillor estimated would transport far more people.

“We would be thrilled to see something like that go ahead,” said Leslie Bruce, president and chief executive of Banff-Lake Louise Tourism. “We’re always trying to manage that fine balance between making it accessible in the park but trying to decrease congestion with road traffic.”

Last year, Banff welcomed five and a half million vehicles, which meant the road system was “beyond capacity” for nearly half of the peak summer period, the town wrote in its funding proposal. Increased congestion poses risks for emergency responders, erodes the visitor experience and produces unwelcome greenhouse gases, the proposal states.

I'd enjoy a nice rail trip out to Banff every now and then, drinking and taking in some of the scenery would be fantastic.

The rail route would make the trip far safer for those willing to leave their cars behind, while allowing Calgary and Banff to attract new tourism and international investment, the councillor said.

“If people knew they could come here and enjoy everything Calgary has to offer and enjoy one of the most spectacular train rides in the universe, out to Banff, and enjoy everything Banff has to offer, that would do a lot more than renting a car at the airport,” Carra said.

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...ice-to-calgary