Page 3 - Region of Kitchener Waterloo’s rapid transit service
P. 3
By Anna Guy June 21, 2019, marked the official opening of the
new ION LRT system in Waterloo Region, which
he Region of Waterloo ON, has recognized connects passengers from Fairway station in
the need to strategically tackle an Kitchener to Conestiga station in Waterloo, with a
Texpanding urban core and population total of 19 stations along the route.
growth. According to the Province's Growth Plan, the
Waterloo Region's population will reach 742,000 by The Region of Waterloo offered free rides across
2031, making it one of the fastest growing regions in the entire GRT network within the first 11 days of
Ontario, and making a public transportation system the launch, which amounted in nearly 300, 000
an integral part to the community and intensive passengers boarding the new ION system. The
urban infrastructure renewal. ceremony also highlighted the ION bus connection
from Fairway to the Ainslie terminal in Cambridge
The $868-million light rail train (LRT) system–known as the first step to implement light rail in Cambridge.
as ION—was a significant milestone for the regional
growth strategy, said Brendon Simon, Senior Project The 100 per cent low floor LRV fleet is the first of its
Manager for Light Rail Transit at Region of Waterloo. kind in North America. Stage 2 ION will see ION bus
“The vehicles symbolize the considerable progress converted to light rail, creating a seamless light rail
being made to bring this new service to residents in route that stretches from Cambridge to Waterloo.
Waterloo Region.” The vehicle includes doors on both sides, 56 fixed
seats and can hold more than 200 people.
2 3
