TransPod Delays Test Track as Alberta Develops New Passenger Rail Plan

TransPod postponed its high-speed guideway project in Alberta, citing the province’s ongoing Passenger Rail Master Plan and confirming a new target date for construction in 2026. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Toronto-based tech company initially aimed to begin testing its FluxJet system in 2020. But that timeline shifted after Alberta committed to designing a broader rail framework before approving specific projects.

Don’t miss…New GO Trains Enhance Commutes in Mississauga and Brampton

In 2020, TransPod signed a memorandum of understanding with the province to explore developing a high-speed corridor. That agreement included helping the company secure land for a test guideway between Edmonton and Calgary.

A 2021 feasibility study suggested the route could cut travel times to 45 minutes and generate over 140,000 jobs. Estimated at roughly $22 billion, the infrastructure project promised significant economic benefits.

TransPod Aligns Plans with Provincial Rail Strategy

In 2023, the company paused its plans while awaiting regulatory recognition under Alberta’s Railway Act. Without that legal framework, TransPod couldn’t acquire the land necessary near Edmonton International Airport.

Company CEO Sebastien Gendron confirmed that, for now, TransPod would wait for the Passenger Rail Master Plan’s release. That plan, expected in summer 2025, may become effective by fall.

Gendron noted the project still holds support from the Edmonton airport and the City of Edmonton. The prototype route will stretch from the airport to the city’s southern limits and could cost between $147,000 and $368,000, depending on land and permits.

Spanish engineering firm Sener estimates the wider infrastructure could reach $1.33 million. Gendron told CBC in February that municipal approval for the test route is in place, but the project still depends on the province’s final strategy.

TransPod Eyes Broader Economic Impact Beyond Transportation

In 2022, TransPod secured $550 million in private investment for the Edmonton-Calgary corridor. Gendron emphasized the project’s potential to create a new industrial base, beyond just building transportation systems.

He compared the opportunity to Montreal’s aerospace rise, saying Alberta could build a similar ecosystem around advanced mobility manufacturing. TransPod plans to build a Canadian-based production facility and source steel locally to avoid U.S. tariffs.

With a 25% tariff on Canadian steel entering the U.S., Gendron aims to keep supply chains domestic. He plans to contact two Ontario steel mills soon to present TransPod’s long-term manufacturing needs.

Each direction between the cities will feature one dedicated tube, totaling 600 kilometers of construction. The company’s FluxJet vehicle merges features of planes and trains, operating inside sealed, low-pressure tunnels at speeds nearing 1,000 kilometers per hour.

Though the hyperloop concept was introduced by Elon Musk in 2013, no commercial version exists yet. TransPod plans to launch freight service first to validate safety over a two-year period before transitioning to passenger use.

Major global shippers, including FedEx and DHL, have already shown interest in the system. Their early involvement could add momentum and investor confidence for TransPod’s technology.

Gendron reiterated TransPod’s preference for private funding but left the door open for public investment. “We’re open to working with the government if they choose to participate,” he said.

As the provincial plan nears completion, TransPod expects to begin construction in 2026. If realized, the project could reshape how Alberta moves people and freight between its largest cities.

Source: edmonton.taproot.news

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: