Ion rapid transit
Bombardier Flexity Freedom unit #506 approaches Fairway Station
Overview
Owner	Region of Waterloo
Locale	Kitchener andWaterloo,Ontario
Transit type	Light rail Bus rapid transit
Number of lines	1 LRT 1 BRT
Line number	301 ION Light Rail 302 ION Bus[1]
Number of stations	19 (6 of the 19 stations serve one direction only)[2]
Daily ridership	25,000 (as of November 2020[update])[3]
Operation
Began operation	June 21, 2019; 6 years ago (2019-06-21)
Operator(s)	Keolis,GrandLinq,Grand River Transit
Number of vehicles	15Flexity Freedom, 9New Flyer Xcelsior[4]
Technical
System length	19 km (12 mi)[5]
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)standard gauge
Electrification	750VDCoverhead
System map Show static map Legend King Street Conestoga Highway 85 (Conestoga Parkway) Northfield Drive Waterloo Spur Northfield Maintenance facility Research and Technology University of Waterloo Laurier–Waterloo Park Laurel Creek Waterloo Spur King Street Caroline Street Waterloo Public Square Willis Way King Street Allen Waterloo Kitchener border Grand River Hospital Central Station Charles Street Kitchener City Hall Victoria Park Frederick Queen Duke Street/Frederick Street Kitchener Market Borden Borden Avenue Ottawa Street Ottawa Street Mill CN Rail Highway 7 /Highway 8 (Conestoga Parkway) CN Rail Block Line Fairway IonaBRT toCambridge (future ION LRT phase 2) This diagram: view talk edit Show diagram map

Ion, stylized asION, is an integratedpublic transportation network in theRegional Municipality of Waterloo inOntario, Canada.^[6] It is operated byKeolis and is part of theGrand River Transit (GRT) system, partially replacing GRT's Route 200iXpress bus service. The section of the bus route serving Cambridge has been renamed "Ion Bus", and renumbered as 302. The first phase commenced operations on June 21, 2019, between the north end ofWaterloo and the south end ofKitchener.^[7] In 2023, Ion LRT had an annual ridership of 4.3 million,^[8] and a daily ridership of 11,780.

In 2009, anEnvironmental Assessment (EA) began to create a proposal ofelectrically poweredlight rail transit through Kitchener and Waterloo, and adaptedbus rapid transit from Kitchener to Cambridge. On June 24, 2009, Regional Council voted to approve the project, subject to funding from higher levels of government, which was in turn approved by council on June 15, 2011. This was followed by a community building strategy to guide development, identify key destinations, and strengthen regional connections.^[9] The strategy, led by Urban Strategies Inc. of Toronto, consulted hundreds of individuals and stakeholders from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.^[10]

Construction began in August 2014 and service was expected to begin in late 2017;^[11] however, because of delays in the manufacture and delivery ofrolling stock, the introduction of the light rail service was significantly delayed.^[12][13][14] The total cost of the system was estimated at $818 million, but in December 2017, the overruns were estimated to total approximately $50 million.^[15] Theprovincial government was expected to provide $25 million of that amount.^[16]

A future extension of light rail to the downtownGalt area ofCambridge (Phase 2) is planned but construction may not begin on that line until 2028.^[17] In 2025, Cambridge mayorJan Liggett endorsed the idea of usingbus rapid transit instead of LRT, saving about $4.5 billion in local, regional, provincial, and federal expenditures.^[18]Disability rights movement advocates argue that light rail transit to and fromConestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario) andAinslie St. Transit Terminal would increase accessibility, reduce wait times, and decreasetraffic congestion.^[19]

According to the Region of Waterloo, the Ion network is named afterthe charged atom, which it describes as being “always in motion”.^[20]

In 2004, the Regional Municipality began an Individual Environmental Assessment to study the feasibility of constructing arapid transit line to provide higher-order public transit service to the Region and to encourage more compact urban growth along the corridor.

The EA took a broader approach to studying possible routes and stations for the rapid transit line, examining several options such as utilizing existing tracks/roads and constructing new facilities. In keeping with legislation, the Environmental Assessment also examined ten possible transport technologies, includingmonorails and subways.

The EA as planned consisted of three phases:

Phase 1: Determine a preferred transportation strategy from options such as road expansion, improved conventional transit, and rapid transit. Phase 1 was completed in July 2006.

Phase 2:

Step 1: Determine a preferred route design (grade separated, dedicated on-road, dedicated off-road, etc.) and technology. The EA examined ten different technologies including light rail, bus rapid transit, monorail, and subway. Step 1, completed in February 2007, determined that light rail transit and bus rapid transit were best suited to meet the needs of the Regional Growth Management Strategy.

Step 2: Determined a short list of preferred routes and technologies for seven segments of a rapid transit system (completed in 2008).

Step 3: Proposed an overall preferred rapid transit system (completed June 2009)

Phase 3: Design an implementation plan for the rapid transit system.

In June 2008, the Province of Ontario announced a new expedited Transit Project Assessment Process (Ontario Regulation 231/08). In August 2008, the Region notified the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to advise that it would transition from the Individual Environmental Assessment to the expedited process. For that reason, Phase 3 of the Individual EA would not be completed.^[21]

On June 24, 2009, Regional Council approved the initiative and continued discussions with Provincial and Federal governments to obtain funding for the $790-million project. Light Rail Transit (LRT) was short-listed as the technology for the new rapid transit system. The Region decided on a staged approach, building light rail fromConestoga Mall toFairview Park Mall, passing through Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener on the way. Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) would be built from Fairview Park Mall to Ainslie Street terminal in Cambridge utilizing shoulder bypass lanes along Highways 8 and 401 during heavy traffic where speeds are often 40 km/h (25 mph) or less. As of June 2019, there is still no specific timeline for replacing the aBRT service to Cambridge with light rail.

In May 2009, a Facebook group named "I Support Light Rail Transit in the Region of Waterloo" was created, and boasted over 1,600 members.^[22] Shortly after its creation, the group creator and other LRT supporters formed the "Tri-Cities Transport Action Group" (TriTAG).^[23] According to its website, TriTAG supports LRT as a needed method of shaping development, meeting future capacity needs, protecting the environment, and providing the most economical solution for transportation in the Region.^[24] Six months after founding, TriTAG launched an email campaign to allow supporters of LRT to email their MPs, MPPs, and other government officials such as the federal and provincial Ministers of Transportation. Within a few days, thousands of emails had been sent.^[25] For the 2010 Regional Budget, TriTAG and its supporters presented to the Regional Budget Committee regarding various areas of transportation funding. While the focus was not on LRT, the delegates spoke about the importance of proper transportation infrastructure (pedestrian, cycling, transit) on a successful LRT system.^[26][27] TriTAG continued their support of the project into the bid stage in 2014; a notable contribution was a video outlining the landmarks and amenities that the route will access.^[28] Proponents asserted that the region's plans for rapid transit will be an essential component of planning and rationally controlling the Region's growth.^[29]

On June 24, 2009, Regional Council approved LRT as the technology for rapid transit in Waterloo Region. Regional Council also approved a recommendation to implement the system in stages because ridership, development potential and capital and operating costs vary along the route.

The light rail system was approved by Regional Council with a vote of 15–1. Cambridge mayor Doug Craig cast the dissenting vote. Other Cambridge-area representatives joined Craig in voting against subsequent motions on the service's staging, feeling that running only buses to that city does them a disservice.^[30]

The Province of Ontario had promised to fund up to two thirds of the cost of the construction of a light rail or bus rapid transit system in Waterloo Region.^[31]However, in the summer of 2010, actual funding commitments from higher levels of government for the combined LRT and aBRT system were announced: $300 million from the province of Ontario, and $265 million (or up to 1/3 of the full cost) from the federal government.^[32] The provincial figure was disappointing to supporters, as the provincial government had previously promised to pay 2/3 of the cost.^[33] Regional council debated funding the remaining $200–300 million required for the project to go ahead as planned.^[34]

During public consultation for the project, concerns related to the light rail proposal focused on its relative service infrequency when compared with rapid transit systems in other cities (though it would still outperform the Region's best bus services in its overall service capacity, and the frequency of many routes); the projected service frequency will be approximately 7.5 minutes. In addition, a light rail line would be limited by the narrow main streets of key downtown areas. A feasible proposal raised by the Region for dealing with this challenge would be to have light rail vehicles (LRVs) share space with traffic within core areas, somewhat resembling the streetcar network of nearby Toronto. A bus rapid transit line would also face the challenge of the cramped core areas, and thus would also likely share space with traffic in core areas.^[35]

In late 2011, planning was well underway and preparations were being made. In October, a property on Dutton Drive in Waterloo, bordering the rail-line corridor where the LRT is planned to be installed, was purchased to serve as a maintenance and storage yard for the system's LRVs.^[36] The site, which was purchased for $6 million, will contain three buildings: the largest is 75,000 square feet (7,000 m²) and will house the operations centre and a repair shop; one will include a washing system; and the third is a 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) wayside maintenance building that will house the repair truck fleet.^[37]

Stage 2 ION
Legend
toConestoga Fairway CPKC Rail Grand River King Street Sportsworld Highway 401 Fountain Street Speed River Preston Station CPKC Rail CN Rail Pinebush Hespeler Road Cambridge Centre Can–Amera Delta CPKC Rail Ainslie/Main Downtown Cambridge
This diagram: view talk edit

The Region approved a staged implementation plan for its rapid transit system:

Stage 1 – Implementation of LRT north of Fairview Park Mall and adapted Bus RapidTransit south of Fairview Park Mall, including:

• LRT from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener;
• Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener to Ainslie Street Terminal in downtown Cambridge
• Re-aligned Grand River Transit (GRT) bus service to provide an expanded level of service to the rapid transit stations along primary feeder corridors;
• Express bus service, modelled after the currentiXpress service, to high ridership centres throughout the Region (i.e.,Wilfrid Laurier University,Conestoga College, etc.);
• Connections to intercity transit such asGO Transit,Greyhound, andVia Rail.

The stage 1 route is 19 kilometres (12 mi) long.^[38]

Stage 2 – Completion of a light rail transit system from Fairview Park in Kitchener to Ainslie Street in Cambridge. Commencement of Stage 2 to follow completion of Stage 1 as closely as possible.

A group opposed to the rapid transit proposal, called "Taxpayers for Sensible Transit" (T4ST), was formed in June 2009. According to its website, T4ST opposes LRT as being a proposal too big and too expensive for the region, which will hurt businesses and the local economy.^[39] Taxpayers for Sensible Transit did not present a position regarding transportation and transit funding for the 2010 Regional Budget.

In September 2013 Doug Craig, the mayor ofCambridge, called for examining the cost of cancelling the light rail line.^[40]He justified this examination due to doubts by Toronto politicians over its light rail line.

On November 19, 2013, it was reported that Craig was working to "extricate" Cambridge from any obligation to pay for the line connecting it to Kitchener, while, at the same time, trying to argue for connecting Cambridge to Toronto, via a GO line.^[41]

Out of the seven groups that showed an interest in the project, by December 18, 2013, three consortiums had submitted bids to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Ion system.^[42][43] The winning bid was selected at a committee meeting on March 4, 2014.^[44]GrandLinq was the preferred bidder.^[45] The final approval of the GrandLinq bid came at a full council meeting on March 19,^[46] and financial close was made May 9.^[47]

In March 2014, just as the Region was preparing to give final approval to the construction contract, a group titled "Coalition Stop Waterloo LRT" filed a legal injunction against the project, claiming it did not meet planning guidelines and should be stopped. A court decision on March 18 dismissed the motion, but did not rule out further legal review.^[48] It later emerged that the only citizen directly associated with the filing coalition was local businessman Jay Aissa.^[49]Ann Tucker of theOntario Superior Court dismissed the suit on March 19, 2014.^[50] In July, Aissa announced that he was dropping further legal challenges and instead would take a political option to oppose the project, running against incumbent Regional chairman Ken Seiling. Seiling was re-elected Chairman with 58.4% of the vote.^[51]

• Utility relocation and other associated work began in late 2013. Construction officially started with a groundbreaking event on August 21, 2014.^[52]
• The first sections of the route scheduled for work were Borden Avenue in Kitchener, and Caroline Street in Waterloo.^[53] In early 2015, work shifted to Charles Street and King Street in Kitchener, and within the railway corridors. In March, under a stretch of King Street, GrandLinq reported finding wooden rail ties from thestreetcar line, abandoned in the 1950s, unearthed during excavation.^[54]
• By late 2015, many stretches of track were installed and some stations had their concrete pads poured.
• By the end of 2016, system construction was 90% complete, including full completion of the maintenance facility and all underground utility work.^[55]
• In late February 2017,Bombardier Transportation had delivered a single sample-only LRV for testing.^[56] The Region reiterated that Stage 1 rail service would start in "early" 2018.^[57]
• At that time, plans for Stage 2 were still in the very early stage. Public consultation was to start soon, but in mid 2017, that process was postponed to 2018.^[58] Some routes and stops had been agreed upon in 2011, but the final plan was scheduled for completion in mid 2017.^[59][60]

In February 2017, after limitations in the original route design came to light, a new preliminary preferred route plan was published.^[61] This would no longer use the CPR line south of Fairway; instead, it would travel to the east of it, along the River Rd extension and across Hwy 8; along King St into the Sportsworld area and under Hwy 401; along Shantz Hill Rd into Preston, and crossing the Speed River on a dedicated bridge.

The subsequent plan, rejected by Cambridge City Council in July 2017,^[62] indicated that the track would take Eagle St toward Hespeler, but to avoid conflicts with rail corridors and reduce traffic impacts at Eagle/Pinebush, would travel along the freight spur to Hespeler Rd. As previously, Hespeler Rd would be followed toward the Delta intersection, but to avoid traffic impacts it would veer east along the rail corridor behind Norfolk Ave, then transition to an abandoned railway corridor behind Grantham and Beverly Sts, before coming into downtown Galt near the Ainslie Terminal.^[63] (At least one journalist has pointed out the similarity between this plan and the electricGrand River Railway of the early 1900s.)^[64] More detailed rendering of the route became available in October 2019, indicating elevated sections would be used to cross Fairway Road, the Grand River, Fountain Street and the Speed River, and the CP Rail line by Eagle Street.^[65]

After publication of the February 2017 route plan, some citizens of Cambridge, particularly in the Preston area, were strongly objecting to the route, especially the section planned for Shantz hill and certain residential areas. City Council particularly objected to the Shantz Hill Road to Hespeler Road section and passed a motion in early July 2017 instructing staff to advise the Region of this and to request that alternatives be explored.^[58][62]

A report in late 2017 indicated that the new Ion system was responsible in part for a predicted building boom in the core of Kitchener, much of it located near LRT stations. An estimated $1.2 billion in building permits for 20 new developments was expected by March 2018, adding 1,000 apartments and 1,800 condominium units. According to the city, the anticipated development was a "mixture of high-density residential buildings with ground-floor retail, and office buildings with ground-floor retail". Half of the projects would be extensive in size. A report in theWaterloo Region Record of December 29, 2017 indicated that "since Ion was approved in 2009, the region has issued $2.4 billion in building permits within the LRT corridor." Rod Regier, Commissioner of Planning, Development and Legislative Services for Waterloo Region, commented on the increase in building permits. "My back-of-the-envelope estimate is that the private sector developers have invested almost double the full cost of the Ion itself in the transit corridor. That for me is really astonishing," he said.^[66]

Ion light rail vehicles are in service between 5 am and midnight daily with a frequency of every 10 minutes from 6 am to 10 pm on weekdays and 15 minutes at other times.^[67] The route is properly known as301 ION Light Rail.

The maximum operating speed of Ion light rail vehicles is 50 km/h (31 mph) along city streets and 70 km/h (43 mph) along railway rights of way.^[68] However, in areas where there is high pedestrian traffic, the operating speed will be as low as 20–25 km/h (12–16 mph). The 19-kilometre (12 mi) trip from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall is scheduled take about 46 minutes for an average speed of about 25 km/h (16 mph).^[69] As a comparison, the average speed of Toronto's light railLine 5 Eglinton will be 28 kilometres per hour (17 mph) and the average speed of subwayLine 2 Bloor–Danforth is 32 kilometres per hour (20 mph). Note that while Ion operates completely on the surface, Line 5 is half underground, and Line 2 is completely road-separated.^[70]

At street intersections, Ion light rail vehicles do not use the traditional automotive green-yellow-red traffic signals for road traffic, but rather the traditional two-aspect transit signals that show a vertical white bar for "go" and a horizontal white bar for "stop".^[71] Ion light rail vehicles havetransit signal priority at intersections.^[67]

Where a street crosses the Ion tracks located either along a railway right of way or along the side of a cross road, the crossing is protected by traditional railway crossing signals: drop gates, flashing red lights and a bell. Crossings so protected are (from north to south) at Northfield Drive, Bearinger Road, Columbia Street, University Avenue, Seagram Drive and Erb Street in Waterloo, and at Ottawa Street, Mill Street, Hayward Avenue, Block Line Road, Courtland Avenue and Wilson Avenue in Kitchener.^[72]

The Ion fleet is stored and maintained at the Ion Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF) located on Dutton Drive in Waterloo.^[73]

Because Stage 2 was still years away in March 2017, Grand River Transit was providing rapid transit between Fairview Park Mall and the Ainslie Street Transit Terminal (in the "downtown Galt" area) using iXpress buses. Adapted versions would become available in the near future for the Ion bus. Other stops are at Hespeler Road at the Delta, Can-Amera, Cambridge Centre, Pinebush, and Sportsworld. The rapid transit vehicles use bus-only lanes at Pinebush, Munch and Coronation to minimize slowdowns at times of heavy traffic. Following the launch of light rail Stage 1, the Ion bus provides a direct link to that system.^[74][75] This bus route is properly known as302 Ion Bus. That service, termed "adapted bus rapid transit" runs in shared traffic lanes for most of the route, and fares are collected on board. It therefore does not meet theBRT Standard definition of bus rapid transit. No firm estimates had been published as to the possible start of (Stage 2) light rail service to Cambridge but a report in early July 2017 suggested that construction would not begin until 2025.^[58]

Canadian National Railway freight trains use the shared portion of the Waterloo Spur between 11 pm and 5 am.^[76] After crossing King Street, the northbound freight train joins the northbound Ion track at Caroline Street, cross over to the southbound Ion track just north of Erb Street and then continue north on the southbound track until just south of Northfield Drive. This train typically heads north just after 11pm while Ion service is still running. Northbound Ion LRVs wait at Waterloo Public Square and southbound Ion LRVs wait at Northfield for the freight train to pass. The southbound return trip takes the reverse path and must return before Ion service starts at 5 am or they will have to wait until the next evening. This trip usually occurs Monday and Thursday nights but as with most freight schedules it can sometimes vary.^[77] Since freight cars are wider than the LRVs, there aregauntlet tracks at the southbound track of Ion stations along the Waterloo Spur to keep freight trains from striking the station platforms.^[78] To further protect station platforms and the Ioncatenary system, there is a safety system to detect oversized freight cars and automatically stop the train usingderailers. The detectors are located at Willow Street and just north of Northfield Drive.^[79]

The route approved by Regional Council travels in a mix of on-road and off-road (in various existing rights-of-way) configurations. On December 2, 2017, theKitchener-Waterloo Record reported the local economy had already been stimulated through the construction of new buildings near the route, in both Kitchener–Waterloo and Cambridge.^[80]

• On-road fromConestoga stop in Waterloo, the route followsKing Street then west on Northfield Drive, using its existing bridge to cross theConestoga Parkway, to the Region-owned rail spur line at Northfield stop.
• Off-road, it then follows the Region-owned rail spur line (also known as the Waterloo Spur) from Northfield Drive, passing the Research and Technology,University of Waterloo andLaurier - Waterloo Park stops to Uptown Waterloo, replacing the existing tracks. This line was used by theWaterloo Central Railway for revenue service until 2014 before their route was shortened to terminate north of Northfield Drive. This line continues to be used byCN, and remains open to freight traffic outside of transit service hours.^[76]
• On-road in Uptown Waterloo, it splits into a one-way system going north on King Street (location of the Waterloo Public Square stop) and south on Caroline Street (Willis Way stop), and along Allen Street to rejoin as a two-way system along King Street past Allen andGrand River Hospital stops. In Downtown Kitchener, the route splits at theCentral Station stop (home to the future Transit Hub) into a one-way system going north on Duke and Frederick Streets (includingKitchener City Hall and Frederick stops) and south on Charles Street (Victoria Park and Queen), and back to a two-way system on Charles Street at Benton Street. From downtown Kitchener, the route follows Charles Street past Kitchener Market and Borden stops, then turns southwesternly taking a one-way system usingOttawa Street northbound and Borden Street southbound to Mill stop.
• Off-road, it then travels two-way along the CN rail right-of-way (alongside existing tracks to allow full freight access), under the Conestoga Parkway in a dedicated tunnel, beside Hayward Avenue, beside Courtland Avenue (past Block Line stop) and through the hydro corridor adjacent to Fairway Road, toFairway stop.

• Off-road From Fairview Park Mall the route then parallels the CPR rail line under Highway 8, over the Grand River, past Sportsworld station, under Highway 401, over the Speed River, toEagle Street in Preston at Preston station.
• On-road on Eagle Street to Hespeler/Eagle station, then along Hespeler Road past Cambridge Centre and Can-Amera stations to Delta station, and on Water Street into Downtown Cambridge then on Ainslie Street to the Ainslie Terminal station.^[81]

On-road sections keep the LRVs in dedicated lanes that do not mix with general traffic.

As of May 2, 2024, ION 301 consists of 19 stations. The stations have been built to be the length of two LRVs; however, as only single vehicles are anticipated to be required initially, the major station facilities were only built for a single vehicle length at start. This consists of a cantilevered glass canopy over a mostly open waiting area; enclosures were built at most stations to provide some shelter.^{[citation needed]} Each station is also recognizable by a 'feature wall', a 3-metre (9 ft 10 in) square installation near the end of the platform that carries a distinct colour scheme and pattern. The wall face is a series of large tiles in glass, ceramic or stone; at some stations, all tiles are the same, while others feature a unique pattern.^{[citation needed]} Each wall features illuminated Ion and GRT logos, as well as the station's name set inClearview. A second wall and canopy can be installed at the opposite end of each platform, and are planned to be erected when two light rail vehicle cars become the norm.^{[citation needed]}

The design of each of the stops was focused on an 'anchor wall', a 4 metres (13 ft) square panel subdivided into smaller tiles of glass, ceramic or stone; each station has a unique wall design based on the surrounding architecture, landmarks and social character.^[82][83] There are ten public art installations within the Ion corridor with artworks atConestoga,Research and Technology,Grand River Hospital,Kitchener Market,Mill,Block Line andFairway.^[84] A further piece,Fabric of Place byLilly Otasevic consisting of a panel with imaging representing the fabric of the community, is used as a barrier along the Ion track in Waterloo behind the Albert McCormick Community Centre, on Parkside Drive. Waterloo Region budgeted $875,000 for the artworks.^[84]

Image	Station	Location	Notes	Coords
	Conestoga	West ofConestoga Mall	Major transit interchange with connections to GRT and iXpress bus services	43°29′54″N80°31′46″W / 43.49829°N 80.52951°W /43.49829; -80.52951
	Northfield	Rail corridor at Northfield Dr	Waterloo Central Railway terminates at this station	43°29′50″N80°32′36″W / 43.49722°N 80.54333°W /43.49722; -80.54333
	Research and Technology	Rail corridor near bend in Wes Graham Way	Near the David Johnston Research and Technology Park	43°28′53″N80°32′43″W / 43.48136°N 80.54527°W /43.48136; -80.54527
	University of Waterloo	University of Waterloo main campus	Across from Davis Centre along Ring Road / Laurel Trail	43°28′23″N80°32′28″W / 43.47312°N 80.54107°W /43.47312; -80.54107
	Laurier–Waterloo Park	Rail corridor at Seagram Drive	NearWilfrid Laurier University andWaterloo Park	43°28′08″N80°32′04″W / 43.46899°N 80.53450°W /43.46899; -80.53450
	Waterloo Public Square	Rail corridor at King St	Northbound only	43°27′51″N80°31′22″W / 43.46414°N 80.52289°W /43.46414; -80.52289
	Willis Way	Caroline St south of Willis Way	Southbound only	43°27′44″N80°31′25″W / 43.46228°N 80.52354°W /43.46228; -80.52354
	Allen	King St at Allen St		43°27′37″N80°31′08″W / 43.46015°N 80.51886°W /43.46015; -80.51886
	Grand River Hospital	King St at Pine St	In front ofGrand River Hospital; nearKitchener–Waterloo Collegiate	43°27′26″N80°30′44″W / 43.45730°N 80.51217°W /43.45730; -80.51217
	Central Station	King St at Victoria St	Transit hub will provide connections toGO Transit,Via Rail, andFlixBus services	43°27′11″N80°29′55″W / 43.45304°N 80.49874°W /43.45304; -80.49874
	Kitchener City Hall	Duke St at Young St	Northbound only; nearKitchener City Hall	43°27′07″N80°29′28″W / 43.45202°N 80.49104°W /43.45202; -80.49104
	Victoria Park	Charles St at Gaukel St	Southbound only; nearVictoria Park	43°27′01″N80°29′37″W / 43.45016°N 80.49354°W /43.45016; -80.49354
	Frederick	Frederick St at King St	Northbound only	43°26′58″N80°29′15″W / 43.44938°N 80.48748°W /43.44938; -80.48748
	Queen	Charles St at Queen St	Southbound only	43°26′55″N80°29′23″W / 43.44871°N 80.48961°W /43.44871; -80.48961
	Kitchener Market	Charles St at Cedar St	Near theKitchener Farmer's Market andCameron Heights Collegiate Institute	43°26′47″N80°29′02″W / 43.44648°N 80.48396°W /43.44648; -80.48396
	Borden	Charles St at Borden Ave		43°26′32″N80°28′30″W / 43.44228°N 80.47501°W /43.44228; -80.47501
	Mill	On the rail line by Ottawa St at Mill St		43°26′02″N80°28′42″W / 43.43395°N 80.47839°W /43.43395; -80.47839
	Block Line	Courtland Ave at Block Line Rd	NearSt. Mary's High School	43°25′21″N80°27′45″W / 43.42260°N 80.46263°W /43.42260; -80.46263
	Fairway	West ofCF Fairview Park	Southern terminus linked by Bus Rapid Transit to theAinslie St. Transit Terminal; Park and Ride facility	43°25′20″N80°26′31″W / 43.42236°N 80.44194°W /43.42236; -80.44194

Image	Stop	Location	Notes	Coords
	Fairway		Connection to light rail
	Sportsworld	Sportsworld Crossing	Connections to GO services	43°24′37″N80°23′33″W / 43.41018°N 80.39245°W /43.41018; -80.39245
	Pinebush	Hespler Rd at Pinebush Rd		43°24′28″N80°19′40″W / 43.40774°N 80.32777°W /43.40774; -80.32777
	Cambridge Centre	Cambridge Centre Terminal	Beside Cambridge Centre	43°23′34″N80°19′20″W / 43.39286°N 80.32215°W /43.39286; -80.32215
	Can-Amera	Hespler Rd at Can-Amera Pkwy		43°23′09″N80°19′15″W / 43.385810°N 80.320900°W /43.385810; -80.320900
	Delta	Hespler Rd at Coronation Blvd		43°22′22″N80°19′05″W / 43.37285°N 80.31801°W /43.37285; -80.31801
	Ainslie	Ainslie St. Terminal	Main Cambridge transfer hub for GRT services in Cambridge	43°21′27″N80°18′48″W / 43.35751°N 80.31326°W /43.35751; -80.31326

On July 10, 2013, it was reported that a deal was finalized withMetrolinx to join its contract withBombardier Transportation for the purchase of 14Flexity Freedom LRVs to form the system's initial fleet, with an option to purchase up to 14 more as the need arises.^[85]A further report on July 12, 2013, stated that the region would be purchasing 14 LRVs, with an option to buy 16 more.^[86]

The 14 vehicles are estimated to cost $92.4 million, an average of $6.6 million per vehicle. The cost breakdown is:^[38]

• vehicles – $61.1 million
• spare parts – $6.5 million
• tools and equipment, taxes, currency exchange – $7 million
• contingencies – $11 million in contingencies.

Each 30-metre (98 ft)-long, 30-tonne vehicle has 56 seats and a standing capacity of 144 passengers. The body is constructed of five sections, in an accordion-like configuration to allow for sharp turns. It can be driven from either end. The top speed is 88 km/h (55 mph) but the average travel speed is unlikely to exceed 50 km/h (31 mph).^[14]

The vehicles are numbered with a three-digit unit number in the 5xx series beginning with 501. This fleet number is displayed prominently on the end modules of each vehicle followed by a single letter to denote which end module the fleet number is on (e.g. 503A, 507B). The vehicles are being used for testing at the maintenance facility and all 19 km (12 mi) of the completed track.

Production of the new vehicles was expected to begin in 2015 with the first to be delivered no later than August 2016 and all vehicles were to be received by the end of 2016.^[38][87] On April 13, 2016, it was reported that Bombardier had informed the transit authority that delivery of the vehicles would be delayed.^[88]

The region entered a joint agreement with Metrolinx and Bombardier in July 2013 for 14 LRVs, as well as an option to buy up to 14 more. Under the original agreement, the first vehicle was to be delivered no later than August 2016, and the final vehicle by December 2016.

On May 20, 2016, Bombardier announced that to avoid further delays it would shift construction of the vehicles for the Ion system from its Thunder Bay plant to another plant inKingston, Ontario.^[89]

The first vehicle, number 501 (its ends are labelled 501A and 501B), arrived in Waterloo Region on February 24, 2017.^[90] However, it was not ready for testing as its operating software was incomplete.^[91] By mid-March 2017, the second to fifth vehicles were seen by a CTV reporter as under construction in the Kingston plant.^[92] Testing of vehicle 501 was scheduled to commence in May 2017 on the line between Northfield Drive and Silver Lake.^[14]

In early April 2017, the Region expected to receive a second LRV in June or July, but that was postponed to late August or early September.^[93] By the beginning of October 2017, the second LRV had arrived.^[91] The schedule then called for delivery of another each 15 days, for a total of 14 by year end.^[14] The year end target was missed.^[94]

On November 7, 2017, unpowered vehicle testing began on the tracks between Northfield Drive and Erb Street. An LRV was towed to check track clearances including along station platforms and to ensure continuouspantograph contact with the overhead electrical wiring.^[94][95]

On December 19, 2017, GrandLinq had its first successful test of a Flexity Freedom running under its own power at the Ion maintenance facility. The two-hour test was done at the speed of 10 km/h (6.2 mph) and "apparently went quite well", according to Coun. Tom Galloway.^[96] In 2018, testing beyond the maintenance facility was scheduled to start. By this date, Waterloo Region had three LRVs on site,^[68] which is the minimum number required to do an adequate test of the system.^[97]

A CBC report on December 21, 2017, indicated that the fourth vehicle was expected to be delivered before year-end. Six others were in final production and four were still in the assembly process.^[98] After the fourth vehicle was received in January, the first one was returned to Kingston for some additional work. At that time, five others were being tested by Bombardier.^[99] According to the schedule, the fourteenth and last LRV was expected to be delivered in February 2018 with full LRT service expected to start in spring 2018;^[94] however, this later became a June final delivery, with service start in December,^[100] then later to June 21, 2019.^[7] The final LRVs were delivered on December 6, 2018.

At a Regional council meeting on May 8, 2019, it was announced that the service would launch the following month, on June 21, 2019; service across all of Grand River Transit, both LRT and bus, was to be free of charge for 11 days, until Canada Day.^[101]

In August 2020, it was confirmed that part of a compensation package from Bombardier to settle shipping delays would be a fifteenth unit, provided free of charge, for the Ion fleet.^[102] It was delivered early March 2021.^[103]

Ion light rail and Ion Bus both run with 10-minute headways on weekdays, with headways being 15-minutes on weekends.^[104][105]

GRT usesproof-of-payment system for fare collection. Fares can be paid with an EasyGOcontactless smart card or the GRT Pay app. Eligible students attending theUniversity of Waterloo orWilfred Laurier University can use theirstudent identity card.^[106] Ion Buses also accept cash.^[107]

• Urban rail transit in Canada
• Rail transport in Ontario
• Public transport in Canada

Wikimedia Commons has media related toIon rapid transit.

• ION light rail atGrand River Transit
• Ion Vehicle Testing – Kingston, ON – October 2017 onYouTube Published by the Region of Waterloo on November 1, 2017 – featuring Ion train 504 in motion on the Bombardier Kingston test track plus views of trains 503, 506, 508 and 509.
• Official construction website
• Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Home
• Region of Waterloo - Central Transit Corridor ProjectArchived March 14, 2013, at theWayback Machine
• Region of Waterloo - Map of Ion & iXpress routes
• Unloading the first Ion LRV onYouTube Published on February 27, 2017, by a railfan.

• Grand River Transit
• Light rail in Canada
• Electric railways in Canada
• Passenger railways in Ontario
• 750 V DC railway electrification
• Public–private partnership projects in Canada
• Railway lines opened in 2019
• Passenger rail transport in Waterloo, Ontario
• Passenger rail transport in Kitchener, Ontario
• 2019 establishments in Ontario
• Standard-gauge railways in Canada

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