Double decker buses could soon be running between Cochrane and Calgary.

One of the buses made a stop in Cochrane today to give the local government and members of the Calgary Regional Partnership a close-up look at the vehicle proposed for regional transit services.

Its part of the regional transit plan with the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP).

"We really feel that a strong transit and transportation system is going to facilitate more economic development in our communities. Cochrane is one of the first, two communities coming in to take the regional bus." Colleen Shepherd of the CRP told CTV Calgary.

Truper McBride, Cochrane Mayor says "We see transit as a catalyst for economic development, developing Cochrane as a complete community, not a bedroom community of the City of Calgary. Its part of a carbon reduction strategy that's important to the province and for our own sustainability plan."

The commuter bus carries 67 people and a spokesperson with the company says they are environmentally friendly and virtually cut emissions in half.

Rob Montgomery of Alexander Dennis Inc., the UK's leading bus and coach manufacturer, says "It would take two buses and the emissions from two buses to carry the passengers we carry on one. And it would take two tanks of fuel to carry two single deck buses. We use one tank of fuel."

Alberta winters, and road conditions, can be harsh but Montgomery says the double deckers have tested well in adverse conditions with traction control systems and other features.

Montgomery says, "On 1.5" of ice and 8" of snow, and she pulls through every time. We have a system where you press a button and the air depletes from the tire axel, puts all the weight on the drive."

The buses would run between Cochrane and the Crowfoot LFT station every 30 minutes during morning and evening rush hours.

Officials say an estimated 55 percent of people living in Cochrane commute to Calgary for work.

It will cost $3.6 million for four buses.

Mayor McBride says, "Two-thirds of the cost should come from the provincial green trip program, which provides one-time capital funding for new and expanded public transit."

The cost of the ride will be $6.50 one way.

Cochrane hopes to roll out its commuter buses in September 2012.

Airdrie begins its commuter service next month.

The communities of Okotoks, Chestermere Lake, Strathmore and High River are working on plans to facilitate a similar system.

The CRP envisions a regional transit system with the 15 CRP municipalities in the next five years.

Click here for more information on the double decker buses or here for information on the Calgary Regional Partnership program.