Readers Weigh In on Whether the Calgary-Banff Train Should Stop in Canmore

Earlier this week, we reported that a future passenger train between Calgary and Banff could travel directly through Canmore without stopping.

Canmore council unanimously agreed to advocate for a local station, arguing it could connect residents to Calgary and the airport, help workers commute into town, reduce vehicle traffic and give visitors another way to reach Canmore without a car.

But council doesn't get to decide where the train stops. Alberta's Passenger Rail Master Plan currently identifies Calgary International Airport, downtown Calgary, Cochrane and Banff as stations, while Canmore and Mînî Thnî remain under consideration.

So, we asked readers a pretty simple question: Would you want a Calgary-Banff passenger train station in Canmore?

The response was overwhelmingly in favour.

Of the 951 readers who voted, 889 said yes, a train station would benefit Canmore. Just 62 said the train could bypass town.

That means roughly 93% of respondents supported a Canmore stop.

Getting Cars Off The Road

This was easily one of the biggest themes. Readers repeatedly argued that if Alberta is going to build a passenger train through the Bow Valley, stopping in Canmore could give Calgarians, visitors and commuters an alternative to driving Highway 1 and bringing another vehicle into town.

“This would cut traffic and provide great access to Canmore for commuters and tourists alike,” one reader wrote. “Everyone talks about less traffic and emissions. This is the solution.”

Another put it more simply: “Makes perfect sense to stop to get cars off the road and connect with the airport.”

The Airport Connection Was A Big Deal

For many Canmore residents, the most appealing trip wasn't Canmore to Banff. It was Canmore to Calgary International Airport.

Readers repeatedly mentioned being able to reach the airport or downtown Calgary without driving, particularly during winter weather or periods of heavy highway traffic.

“It would be great for Canmorians to get to Calgary, and, especially the airport if we had a train stop in Canmore,” one reader wrote. “Would take cars off the road.”

Don't Forget About Workers

A surprisingly strong theme was employee mobility.

Readers pointed to Canmore's housing costs and the number of people commuting into the Bow Valley from places such as Cochrane, Calgary and Mînî Thnî. Some argued a train could expand where Bow Valley employees are realistically able to live.

“For people commuting to Calgary to Canmore and vice-versa it’s a no brainer,” one reader wrote. “It will amplify workforce mobility across the Bow Valley and through to Calgary.”

Another reader's message to planners was even more direct: “Don't just think about the train as a way to move tourists. It's a way to move locals too! It must support both!”

But It Has To Actually Be Useful

Some support came with conditions.

Readers raised questions about ticket prices, train frequency, schedules, local transit connections and where a station and its parking would actually go. One reader said they would “absolutely” use the train if fares were affordable and service was frequent and convenient, particularly for trips into Calgary.

Others noted that a station could create infrastructure challenges of its own, including parking and connections into the rest of Canmore.

Not Everyone Wants More Access To Canmore

The opposition, while much smaller, had a consistent concern: Canmore already feels too busy.

“There is enough congestion without giving more people an easy way to get there,” one reader wrote.

Another called Canmore a “relatively quiet mountain jewel” and argued increasing development and visitation have already gone far enough.

Others questioned the broader rail project itself, raising concerns about cost, wildlife impacts and whether bringing more visitors into the Bow Valley would simply trade vehicle congestion for people congestion. One reader who was uneasy about the project nevertheless summed up a sentiment that appeared several times: they weren't excited about another transportation corridor through the valley, “but if there must be a train, then it must stop in Canmore.”

That distinction came up repeatedly.

Some readers aren't necessarily sold on the Calgary-Banff passenger train.

But if Alberta builds it anyway and the tracks run directly through Canmore, a lot of you think watching the train roll straight past town would make very little sense.