BANFF, Alta. — A feasibility study released today says bus or passenger rail service between Calgary and Banff National Park would make sense.
The study was commissioned by the towns of Banff, Canmore and Cochrane, the City of Calgary and a municipal district that includes Lake Louise.
It examined mass transit as a way to reduce the number of vehicles along the busy Trans-Canada Highway corridor and in the national park.
The study says the park has seen its visitation increase by an average of 2.6 per cent a year since 2007, leading to increased road congestion — particularly in the summer.
It suggests mass transit could reduce some of the congestion, but the municipalities have noted either option would require help from other levels of government.
The $350,000 study was paid for by Alberta Municipal Affairs and conducted by an independent contractor hired by the Town of Banff.