CABR is challenging as conventional government directed public transit project: Four things changed this:
- Willingness of private sector stakeholders to step up for development and long term financing cost and performance risks and appetite from Canada Infrastructure Bank to finance 50% of the project at low interest rates with no recourse to Alberta taxpayer.
- Ability of Liricon to negotiate Strong CP Rail support, creates unique opportunity to permit and build quickly and at very low cost relative to greenfield transit projects.
- Insight that CABR would only work as a link between Calgary Airport, the downtown and Banff and that premium customers visiting Banff could contribute significantly to help subsidize costs of public mass transit for Albertans if private sector can provide exceptional service quality.
- National and provincial parks “gate fee” can encourage use of train, taking personal vehicles off road and delivering planned environmental benefits.