Alberta government engages with shareholders on passenger rail service [Video]

Premier Danielle Smith and her minister of transportation spoke at a passenger rail forum in Calgary on Friday, adding more speculation about what could be in store for travel options for Albertans in the years ahead.

Smith and Devin Dreeshen addressed the gathering at the BMO Centre, saying that the provincial government is working on a “rail master plan” that’s expected to be released sometime in 2025.

• Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

Elements of that plan include rail lines from both Edmonton and Calgary’s airports to each city’s downtown core, rail lines to major Alberta tourist destinations and a high-speed rail connection to make the three-and-a-half-hour trip between the province’s two major centres a breeze.

“It’s something that’s been discussed for decades, but usually those conversations started …