Quote:
Originally Posted by Fuzz
The last mile problem last already been solved, and will be bolstered if there is rail, as I already pointed out. Where do you imagine a tourist wants to go that they can't get to once they hit Banff?
It feels like you are imagining this for day trips from Calgary. That's not where many of the trips will come from though. You get people to Banff, they get to their hotel and spend a week in the town. Busing form the airport to Lake Louise, or Johnson Canyon, or wherever else doesn't mean anything for a tourist from Europe. They want to get to Banff first, and do day trips from there.
Have you traveled much? I've been all over the world, and the key is getting from the airport to where you want to be as comfortable and conveniently as possible. Knowing there is a train over a bus inspires more confidence the connection, it is more comfortable and more predictable. This stuff means things to tourists. Sure, Calgarians will use it too, but I'd argue that's less of the primary target market here, since most Calgarians have cars. $30 CAD round trip is a bargain, BTW, as far as international comparisons go. Even for locals, gas alone is $20 for that trip.
I'm not saying financially this makes sense, as I know little about that part of the equation. But arguing that it's a bad idea because you can't get to where you want to go just means you haven't looked at the reality of the situation.
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No one decides where they travel based on the reliability of an airport connection in a first world country. Adding a train will not increase visitation by inspiring more confidence.
I also disagree with you that a significant portion of foreign visitors come to Banff via Bus then take day trips from there. I would argue you have car renters and brewsters bus tours that package the hotels and stops. The market of self put together excursions from Banff without personal transportation is quite limited.
For 600 million when can purchase about 1200 busses to ferry tourists