View source for Ion rapid transit

{{short description|Rapid transit network in Waterloo Region, Ontario}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Cleanup reorganize|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox public transit
| image = Waterloo ION logo.svg
| imagesize = 120px
| alt = 
| caption = 
| image2 = ION_506.jpg
| imagesize2 = 270px
| caption2 = [[Bombardier Flexity Freedom]] unit #506 approaches Fairway Station
| owner = [[Region of Waterloo]]
| area served = 
| locale = [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]] and [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], [[Ontario]]
| transit_type = [[Light rail]]<br />[[Bus rapid transit]]
| lines = 1 LRT<br />1 BRT
| line_number = 301 ION Light Rail<br />302 ION Bus <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grt.ca/en/schedules-maps/schedules.aspx|title=Schedules|date=August 9, 2021}}</ref>
| start = 
| end = 
| stations = 19 (6 of the 19 stations serve one direction only)<ref name=RideIon>{{cite news |url=http://rideion.ca/ |title=Ion |work=official site |date=2015 |access-date=June 15, 2015}}</ref>
| ridership = 25,000 ({{as of|November 2020|lc=yes}})<ref name="Ion Ridership">{{cite web |title=Public transit numbers on the rise since Ion launch in June |url=https://www.keolis.ca/en/node/234 |publisher=[[Keolis]] |date=November 18, 2020 |access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
| weekly_ridership = 
| annual_ridership = 
| chief_executive = 
| website = 
| began_operation = {{Start date and age|2019|06|21}}
| operator = [[Keolis]], [[GrandLinq]], [[Grand River Transit]]
| character = 
| vehicles = 15 [[Bombardier Flexity Freedom|Flexity Freedom]], 9 [[New Flyer Xcelsior]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council/Detail/2017-03-22-Council/CA2017-0322.1.pdf#page=7 |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921035019/http://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Council/Detail/2017-03-22-Council/CA2017-0322.1.pdf#page=7 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| train_length = 
| system_length = {{convert|19|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=WhatIsIon>{{cite news |url=http://rideion.ca/what-is-ion.html |title=What is Ion? |work=official site |date=2015 |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618112819/http://rideion.ca/what-is-ion.html |archive-date=June 18, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| notrack = 
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| el = 750 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[Overhead line|overhead]]
| average_speed = 
| top_speed = 
|map         = {{switcher
  |[[File:ION LRT map.svg|250px]]
  |Show static map
  |{{Ion LRT route diagram|inline=1}}
  |Show diagram map
  }}
}}

'''Ion''', stylized as '''ION''', is an integrated [[public transport]]ation network in the [[Regional Municipality of Waterloo]] in [[Ontario]], Canada.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/926654--ion-approved-as-name-for-waterloo-region-lrt |title=Ion approved as name for Waterloo Region LRT |newspaper=Waterloo Region Record |date=April 30, 2013 |access-date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927111424/http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/926654--ion-approved-as-name-for-waterloo-region-lrt |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is operated by [[Keolis]] and is part of the [[Grand River Transit]] (GRT) system, partially replacing GRT's Route 200 [[iXpress]] 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 of [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]] and the south end of [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]].<ref name="June 2019">{{cite news |title=Ion launch date set for June 21 |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9344698-ion-launch-date-set-for-june-21/ |access-date=May 14, 2019 |work=Waterloo Region Record |date=May 8, 2019}}</ref> A future extension of light rail to the downtown [[Galt, Ontario|Galt]] area of [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]] (Phase 2) is planned but construction may not begin on that line until 2028.<ref name=Cbc2022-08-21/> In 2025, Cambridge mayor [[Jan Liggett]] endorsed the idea of using [[bus rapid transit]] instead of LRT, saving about $4.5 billion in local, regional, provincial, and federal expenditures.<ref> {{cite web| url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/region-of-waterloo-considering-alternative-to-lrt-in-cambridge/|title=Region of Waterloo considering alternative to LRT in Cambridge|date=May 9, 2025 }}</ref> In 2023, Ion LRT had an annual ridership of 4.3 million,<ref> {{cite web| url=https://www.grt.ca/en/about-grt/performance-measures.aspx |title=Performance Measure. Grand River Transit|date=May 15, 2023 }}</ref> and a daily ridership of 11,780.

In 2009, an [[Environmental Impact Assessment|Environmental Assessment]] (EA) began to create a proposal of [[electric multiple unit|electrically powered]] [[light rail]] transit through Kitchener and Waterloo, and adapted [[bus 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.<ref>http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/opendatadownloads/The_Corridor_Today-chapter_1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The strategy, led by Urban Strategies Inc. of Toronto, consulted hundreds of individuals and stakeholders from Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://centraltransitcorridor.ca/?cat=11| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120610003553/http://centraltransitcorridor.ca/?cat=11| archive-date = 2012-06-10| title = Central Transit Corridor Community Building Strategy » Project Team}}</ref>

Construction began in August 2014 and service was expected to begin in late 2017;<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/10/waterloo-region-s-rapid-transit-system-to-shape-growth-development.aspx |title=Waterloo Region's Rapid Transit System to Shape Growth, Development |journal=Metro Magazine |date=October 13, 2014 |access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> however, because of delays in the manufacture and delivery of [[rolling stock]], the introduction of the light rail service was significantly delayed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6677484-lrt-rollout-delayed-bombardier-blamed/ |title=LRT rollout delayed, Bombardier blamed |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/FINAL_Stage-2-ION-PCC-No.-2-Display-Boards_reduced2.pdf |title=Stage 2 ION: Light Rail Transit (LRT) |last=Sharkey |first=Jackie |date=February 2017 |website=Region of Waterloo |access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref><ref name="PenderApril">{{cite news |last=Pender |first=Terry |date=April 10, 2017 |title=First of the Ion trains wows thousands |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/7233934-first-of-the-ion-trains-wows-thousands/ |work=Waterloo Region Record |location=Kitchener |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> The total cost of the system was estimated at $818 million, but in December 2017, the overruns were estimated to total approximately $50 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/ion-construction-costs-run-50-million-over-budget-1.3716861|title = Ion construction costs run $50 million over budget|date = December 11, 2017}}</ref> The [[Government of Ontario|provincial government]] was expected to provide $25 million of that amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7998792-residents-keep-up-pressure-to-alter-stage-2-lrt-route/|title=Residents keep up pressure to alter Stage 2 LRT route|date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>

==Etymology==

According to the Region of Waterloo, the Ion network is named after [[Ion|the atom]], which it describes as being “always in motion”.<ref>{{cite web |title=Common Questions - General - What does ION mean? |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/projectinformation/frequentlyaskedquestions.asp#whatdoesionmean |website=Ion |date=December 7, 2018 |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621202933/http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/projectinformation/frequentlyaskedquestions.asp#whatdoesionmean |archive-date=21 June 2019 |location=Kitchener, Ontario}}</ref>

==History==
In 2004, the Regional Municipality began an Individual Environmental Assessment to study the feasibility of constructing a [[rapid 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, including [[monorails]] 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.<ref>Region of Waterloo report E-08-070</ref>

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 from [[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga Mall]] to [[Fairview 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 {{Cvt|40|km/h}} or less. As of June 2019, there is still no specific timeline for replacing the aBRT service to Cambridge with light rail.

==Approved light rail system==
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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barrick|first=Frances |url=http://news.therecord.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/559199 |title = Region approves rail plan: Council votes 15-1 in favour of bringing electric trains to region |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date = June 25, 2009 |access-date=November 7, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090627142451/http://news.therecord.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/559199 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |url-status = live }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ontario Budget 2008: Chapter I, Section B |url=http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/ontariobudgets/2008/chpt1b.html |access-date=July 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013152843/http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/ontariobudgets/2008/chpt1b.html |archive-date=October 13, 2008}}</ref>
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.<ref name=Globe2010-08-01/> The provincial figure was disappointing to supporters, as the provincial government had previously promised to pay 2/3 of the cost.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9445684-for-waterloo-regional-council-lrt-was-17-years-in-the-making-and-manoeuvring/|title=For Waterloo regional council, LRT was 17 years in the making — and manoeuvring|last=Outhit|first=Jeff|date=2019-06-21|website=TheRecord.com|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref> Regional council debated funding the remaining $200–300 million required for the project to go ahead as planned.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4196395-margaret-avenue-bridge-now-history-as-demolition-continues-in-kitchener/ |title=Margaret Avenue bridge now history as demolition continues in Kitchener |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=November 7, 2013 |access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/pdfs/Rapid_Transit_Initiative_with_future_bus_connections2.pdf |title=Homepage - Rapid Transit |website=Rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=September 7, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218153638/http://rapidtransit.region.waterloo.on.ca/pdfs/Rapid_Transit_Initiative_with_future_bus_connections2.pdf |archive-date=February 18, 2012 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last=Outhit |first=Jeff |url=http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/615558--rail-yard-purchased-for-rapid-transit |title=Rail yard purchased for rapid transit |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=October 27, 2011 |access-date=November 8, 2011 |archive-date=April 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403152939/http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/615558--rail-yard-purchased-for-rapid-transit |url-status=dead }}</ref> The site, which was purchased for $6 million, will contain three buildings: the largest is {{convert|75000|sqft|m2}} and will house the operations centre and a repair shop; one will include a washing system; and the third is a {{convert|15000|sqft|m2}} wayside maintenance building that will house the repair truck fleet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/5741569-light-rail-headquarters-taking-shape-in-waterloo/|title=Light rail headquarters taking shape in Waterloo|last=Swayze|first=Kevin|newspaper=Waterloo Region Record|date=19 July 2015|access-date=3 January 2018}}</ref>

==Vehicles==
[[File:Ion Flexity Freedom 507 Queen Station.jpg|thumb|Ion vehicle at Queen station during testing in August 2018]]
On July 10, 2013, it was reported that a deal was finalized with [[Metrolinx]] to join its contract with [[Bombardier Transportation]] for the purchase of 14 [[Flexity Freedom]] LRVs to form the system's initial fleet, with an option to purchase up to 14 more as the need arises.<ref>{{cite news|last=Desmond |first=Paige |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3885847-region-approves-purchase-of-bombardier-lrt-trains/ |title=Region approves purchase of Bombardier LRT trains |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=July 11, 2013 |access-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820140047/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/3885847-region-approves-purchase-of-bombardier-lrt-trains/ |archive-date=August 20, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
A further report on July 12, 2013, stated that the region would be purchasing 14 LRVs, with an option to buy 16 more.<ref name=Irj2013-07-12>
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/light-rail/waterloo-opts-for-bombardier-lrvs.html?channel=542
| title       = Waterloo opts for Bombardier LRVs
| journal     = [[International Railway Journal]]
| last        = Bowen
| first       = Douglas John
| date        = July 12, 2013
| access-date  = July 13, 2013
| archive-date = September 24, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112839/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/light-rail/waterloo-opts-for-bombardier-lrvs.html?channel=542
| url-status     = live
| quote       = The first of the Flexity Freedom LRV are due to be delivered in mid-2016, and will be used on the 19km, 16-station line from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener. The $C 92.4m ($US 89.2m) contract will include an option for 16 additional vehicles.
}}</ref>

The 14 vehicles are estimated to cost $92.4 million, an average of $6.6 million per vehicle. The cost breakdown is:
<ref Name=G&M20130710>{{cite news
 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/waterloo-regional-council-approves-purchase-of-bombardier-lrt-vehicles/article13124993/#dashboard/follows/
 |title=Waterloo Regional Council approves purchase of Bombardier LRT vehicles
 |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]
 |date=July 10, 2013
 |access-date=July 10, 2013
}}</ref>
* vehicles – $61.1 million
* spare parts – $6.5 million
* tools and equipment, taxes, currency exchange – $7 million
* contingencies – $11 million in contingencies.

Each {{Convert|30|m|adj=on}}-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 {{Cvt|88|km/h}} but the average travel speed is unlikely to exceed {{Cvt|50|km/h}}.<ref name="PenderApril" />

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<!-- Out of date? --> and all {{Cvt|19|km}} of the completed track.

===Vehicle delivery and testing===
[[File:Flexity Freedom 506 University of Waterloo Station 6.jpg|thumb|Interior of Ion vehicle 506]]
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.<ref Name=G&M20130710 /><ref name=TheRecord2017-06-20/> On April 13, 2016, it was reported that Bombardier had informed the transit authority that delivery of the vehicles would be delayed.<ref name=TheRecord2016-04-13/>

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 in [[Kingston, Ontario]].<ref name=TheRecord2016-05-20/>

The first vehicle, number 501 (its ends are labelled 501A and 501B), arrived in Waterloo Region on February 24, 2017.<ref name=Record-2017-02-25>{{cite web |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/7157964-waterloo-region-lrt-one-train-down-13-to-go/ |title=Waterloo Region LRT: One train down, 13 to go |publisher=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |author=Jeff Hicks |date=February 25, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2017 }}</ref> However, it was not ready for testing as its operating software was incomplete.<ref name=CT-2017-10-02/> By mid-March 2017, the second to fifth vehicles were seen by a CTV reporter as under construction in the Kingston plant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/construction-on-lrt-vehicles-in-full-swing-at-bombardier-plant-1.3326643 |title=Construction on LRT vehicles in full swing at Bombardier plant |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 15, 2017 |website=CTV Kitchener |publisher=Bell Media |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> Testing of vehicle 501 was scheduled to commence in May 2017 on the line between Northfield Drive and Silver Lake.<ref name="PenderApril" />

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.<ref name=Cbc2017-06-20/> By the beginning of October 2017, the second LRV had arrived.<ref name=CT-2017-10-02>{{cite web |url=https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news-story/7587487-second-ion-train-arrives-in-waterloo-region/ |title=Second Ion train arrives in Waterloo Region |publisher=[[Cambridge Times]] |date=October 2, 2017 |access-date=December 26, 2017}}</ref> The schedule then called for delivery of another each 15 days, for a total of 14 by year end.<ref name="PenderApril" /> The year end target was missed.<ref name=CBC-2017-11-07/>

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 continuous [[Pantograph (transport)|pantograph]] contact with the overhead electrical wiring.<ref name=CBC-2017-11-07>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ion-lrt-waterloo-region-testing-1.4390917 |title='Everything was positive,' ION light rail car completes first testing |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017}}</ref><ref name=InternationalRailJournal2017-11-02/>

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 {{convert|10|km/h|abbr=on}} and "apparently went quite well", according to Coun. Tom Galloway.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ion-lrt-waterloo-region-testing-1.4390917| title = 'Everything was positive,' ION light rail car completes first testing {{!}} CBC News}}</ref> In 2018, testing beyond the maintenance facility was scheduled to start. By this date, Waterloo Region had three LRVs on site,<ref name=Record-2017-12-19>{{cite web |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8005961-first-powered-ion-testing-performed/ |title=First powered Ion testing performed |publisher=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |first=Johanna |last=Weidner |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=December 26, 2017 }}</ref> which is the minimum number required to do an adequate test of the system.<ref name=WC-2017-10-13>{{cite web |url=https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/7621928-testing-of-lrvs-on-tracks-expected-this-week/ |title=Testing of LRVs on tracks expected this week |publisher=Waterloo Chronicle |first=Adam |last=Jackson |date=October 13, 2017 |access-date=December 26, 2017}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/toronto-s-new-bombardier-contract-could-benefit-waterloo-region-s-lrt-1.3732107|title=Toronto's new Bombardier contract could benefit Waterloo Region's LRT|date=December 21, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8042850-one-ion-delivered-one-sent-back-for-work/?s=n1|title = One Ion delivered, one sent back for work|date = January 9, 2018}}</ref> 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;<ref name=CBC-2017-11-07/> however, this later became a June final delivery, with service start in December,<ref name="December delay">{{cite news|last1=Weidner|first1=Johanna|title=No LRT service until December|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8393246-no-lrt-service-until-december/|access-date=13 April 2018|work=Waterloo Region Record|date=April 13, 2018}}</ref> then later to June 21, 2019.<ref name="June 2019" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=ION light rail starts June 21, 2019! |url=https://twitter.com/GRT_ROW/status/1126271763862757378 |website=Grand River Transit on Twitter |publisher=Twitter |access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weidner |first1=Johanna |title=Region settling with Bombardier for $2.2M, free Ion train |url=https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2020/08/21/region-settling-with-bombardier-for-22m-free-ion-train.html |access-date=August 23, 2020 |publisher=Waterloo Region Record |date=August 21, 2020}}</ref> It was delivered early March 2021.<ref>{{cite news  |title=Free ION train arrives in Waterloo Region courtesy of Bombardier|url=https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/free-ion-train-arrives-in-waterloo-region-courtesy-of-bombardier-1.5333281|publisher=CTV Kitchener|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>

===Facilities===
The Ion fleet is stored and maintained at the Ion Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF) located on Dutton Drive in Waterloo.<ref name=Dutton>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/multimedialibrary/resources/Dutton.pdf |title=Construction is starting at the ION Operations, Maintenance, and Storage Facility at 518 Dutton in Waterloo |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

The design of each of the stops was focused on an 'anchor wall', a {{convert|4|m|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.<ref name=TorStar2015-12-11/><ref name=Walls>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/multimedialibrary/resources/DOCS_ADMIN-1864420-v1-Anchor_Wall_Presentation_for_May_5_Committee.pdf|title=ION Stop Anchor Wall Designs|publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=May 5, 2015}}</ref>

==Operations==
[[File:Ion Maintenance facility Apr 2017.jpg|thumb|The system's Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility (OMSF)]]
Ion light rail vehicles are in service between 5{{nbsp}}am and midnight daily with a frequency of every 10 minutes from 6{{nbsp}}am to 10{{nbsp}}pm on weekdays and 15 minutes at other times.<ref name=Ion-story>{{cite web |url=https://www.grt.ca/en/schedules-maps/resources/Bus-schedules/PTT_RT_301_20200709-web.pdf |title=ION Light Rail schedule |publisher=[[Grand River Transit]] |date=2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225181534/https://www.grt.ca/en/schedules-maps/resources/Bus-schedules/PTT_RT_301_20200709-web.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The route is properly known as '''301 ION Light Rail'''.

The maximum operating speed of Ion light rail vehicles is {{convert|50|km/h|abbr=on}} along city streets and {{convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}} along railway rights of way.<ref name=Record-2017-12-19/> However, in areas where there is high pedestrian traffic, the operating speed will be as low as {{convert|20–25|km/h|abbr=on}}. The {{convert|19|km|mi|adj=mid}} trip from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall is scheduled take about 46 minutes for an average speed of about {{convert|25|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Ion-Questions>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/projectinformation/frequentlyaskedquestions.asp#aa |title=Common Questions / Rapid Transit in Waterloo Region |publisher=[[Region of Waterloo]] |access-date=January 2, 2018 }}</ref> As a comparison, the average speed of Toronto's light rail [[Line 5 Eglinton]] will be {{Convert|28|km/h|mph}} and the average speed of subway [[Line 2 Bloor–Danforth]] is {{Convert|32|km/h|mph}}. Note that while Ion operates completely on the surface, Line 5 is half underground, and Line 2 is completely road-separated.<ref name="LRT-Facts">
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.thecrosstown.ca/the-project/fact-sheets/light-rail-transit-facts
| title       = Light Rail Transit Facts
| publisher   = Metrolinx
| date        = July 2014
| access-date  = January 2, 2018
| quote       = The average speed of the Eglinton Crosstown is 28km/hr; the Bloor-Danforth subway is 32km/hr.
}}
</ref>

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".<ref name=GRT-Signals>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/lrv-signals.pdf |title=ION light rail vehicle signals |publisher=[[Grand River Transit]] |access-date=December 27, 2017 }}</ref> Ion light rail vehicles have [[transit signal priority]] at intersections.<ref name=Ion-story/>

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.<ref name=Record-2017-08-20>{{cite web |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7511415-grandlinq-testing-ion-train-control-signals/ |title=GrandLinq testing Ion train control signals |publisher=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=August 20, 2017 |access-date=December 27, 2017 }}</ref>

=== Freight trains ===

[[Canadian National Railway]] freight trains use the shared portion of the Waterloo Spur between 11{{nbsp}}pm and 5{{nbsp}}am.<ref name=CBC-2013-03-11/> 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.<ref name=Ion-2017-12-10>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDVbrLN1nB4  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122205222/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDVbrLN1nB4 |archive-date=2019-11-22 |url-status=dead|title=ION light rail freight testing - December 10, 2017 |publisher=rideION |date=December 10, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2018 }}</ref> Since freight cars are wider than the LRVs, there are [[gauntlet track]]s at the southbound track of Ion stations along the Waterloo Spur to keep freight trains from striking the station platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterloo Region Rapid Transit: Innovation through Coexistence |url=http://network.wsp-pb.com/article/waterloo-region-rapid-transit-innovation-through-coexistence |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=network.wsp-pb.com}}</ref> To further protect station platforms and the Ion [[Overhead line#Overhead catenary|catenary]] system, there is a safety system to detect oversized freight cars and automatically stop the train using [[derail]]ers. The detectors are located at Willow Street and just north of Northfield Drive.<ref name=Record-2017-06-26>{{cite web |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7391067-derail-switches-installed-to-protect-ion-infrastructure-from-oversized-freight-trains/ |title=Derail switches installed to protect Ion infrastructure from oversized freight trains |publisher=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |first=Johanna |last=Weidner |date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2018 }}</ref>

==Route==
[[File:Waterloo spur south of University April 2014.jpg|thumb|Waterloo Spur just south of University Avenue in April 2014, before construction started]]
[[File:ION construction Waterloo Park April 6 2015 photo1.jpg|thumb|Construction work on Waterloo Spur in April 2015]]
[[File:ION transit electrification 3.jpg|thumb|Electrification work near University of Waterloo campus in April 2016]]
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, the ''Kitchener-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.<ref name=TheRecord2017-12-02/>

=== Phase 1 ===
* On-road from [[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga]] stop in Waterloo, the route follows [[Waterloo Regional Road 15|King Street]] then west on Northfield Drive, using its existing bridge to cross the [[Conestoga 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]] and [[Wilfrid Laurier University|Laurier]] - Waterloo Park stops to Uptown Waterloo, replacing the existing tracks. This line was used by the [[Waterloo Central Railway]] for revenue service until 2014 before their route was shortened to terminate north of Northfield Drive.  This line continues to be used by [[Canadian National Railway|CN]], and remains open to freight traffic outside of transit service hours.<ref name=CBC-2013-03-11>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/popular-waterloo-tourist-train-route-cut-short-by-lrt-plan-1.1394440|title=Popular Waterloo tourist train route cut short by LRT plan|newspaper=CBC News |date=March 11, 2013 |access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref>
* 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 and [[Grand River Hospital]] stops. In Downtown Kitchener, the route splits at the {{stl|GRT|Central}} stop (home to the future Transit Hub) into a one-way system going north on Duke and Frederick Streets (including [[Kitchener 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 using [[Waterloo Regional Road 4|Ottawa 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, to [[Fairview Park Mall|Fairway]] stop.

=== Phase 2 ===
* 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, to [[Waterloo Regional Road 39|Eagle 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/projectinformation/system.asp |title=Home/ION Information/Maps/System |publisher=Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Division |access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref>

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

In February 2017, after limitations in the original route design came to light, a new preliminary preferred route plan was published.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-ont-lrt-ion-phase-2-proposed-route-announced-1.3976320| title = LRT Cambridge proposed route announced {{!}} CBC News}}</ref> 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,<ref name=Cbc2017-02-10/> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/multimedialibrary/resources/Stage-2-PCC-meeting-2/Stage-2-ION-PCC-display-boards-meeting2_reduced-size.pdf |title=Stage 2 ION: Public Consultation Centre No. 2 |publisher=Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Division |access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> (At least one journalist has pointed out the similarity between this plan and the electric [[Grand River Railway]] of the early 1900s.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/2017/01/railway-history/ |title=CAMBRIDGE AND ITS INFLUENCE ON WATERLOO REGION'S LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 19, 2017 |website=Waterloo Region |access-date=March 10, 2017 |quote=the first electric line running up Water and King Streets from Galt to the Mineral Springs Hotel across the Speed River in Preston ... Next, the train line extended north of Kitchener and a spur line ran into Hespeler. |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312053020/http://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/2017/01/railway-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=•Public Consultation Centre 5 Preliminary Design |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/stage2ION/resources/Stage-2-PCC-5/Stage-2-ION-PCC-5-Preliminary-Design.pdf |website=Stage 2 ION Public Consultation Centre (PCC) Documents |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>

===Staging===
{{Ion LRT phase 2}}
The Region approved a staged implementation plan for its rapid transit system:

Stage 1&nbsp;– Implementation of LRT north of Fairview Park Mall and adapted Bus Rapid
Transit 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 current [[iXpress]] service, to high ridership centres throughout the Region (i.e., [[Wilfrid Laurier University]], [[Conestoga College]], etc.);
* Connections to intercity transit such as [[GO Transit]], [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]], and [[Via Rail]].

The stage 1 route is {{convert|19|km}} long.<ref Name=G&M20130710 />

Stage 2&nbsp;– 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.

===Bids===

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:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rideion.ca/common-questions.html |title=RideION.ca - Common Questions |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729013916/http://www.rideion.ca/common-questions.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=irl2013-12-18>
{{cite journal
| url         = http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/three-bidders-vie-for-waterloo-lrt-contract.html?channel=535
| title       = Three bidders vie for Waterloo LRT contract
| journal     = [[International Railway Journal]]
| author      = Kieth Barrow
| date        = December 18, 2013
| access-date  = December 18, 2013
| archive-date = December 19, 2013
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219002846/http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/north-america/three-bidders-vie-for-waterloo-lrt-contract.html?channel=535
| url-status     = live
| quote       = THREE consortia have submitted bids to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Ontario, for the $C 536m ($US 505m) PPP contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the city's first light rail line.
}}
</ref>
*[[GrandLinq]] which includes Plenary Group Canada; [[Meridiam Infrastructure|Meridiam Infrastructure Waterloo]]; [[Aecon]]; [[Kiewit Corporation|Kiewit]]; Mass Electric Construction Canada; [[Keolis]]; STV Canada Construction; AECOM and [[CIBC World Markets]].
*Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Transit Partners which included Gracorp Capital Advisors; Connor, [[Connor, Clark & Lunn|Clark & Lunn GVest Traditional]]; Infrastructure Partnership; Parsons Corporation; Graham Infrastructure; IBI Group; E & E Seegmiller; Guild Electric; Alternate Concepts and [[Investec]] North America.
*Tricity Transit System which included [[SNC-Lavalin]]; [[EllisDon]]; Fengate Capital Management; [[URS Corporation|URS]] Canadian Operations; and [[Hatch Mott MacDonald]].

The winning bid was selected at a committee meeting on March 4, 2014.<ref name="HuffPost2014-02-27">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/pat-d-lynch/waterloo-lrt_b_4867987.html|title=Why Waterloo Must Embrace Light Rail Transit To Survive|last=Lynch|first=Pat|date=February 27, 2014|newspaper=[[Huffington Post]]|access-date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228221901/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/pat-d-lynch/waterloo-lrt_b_4867987.html|archive-date=February 28, 2014|url-status=live|quote=In an election year, anything goes: While Waterloo Region council convenes on March 4 to vote on a $550-million contract for the work and materials for the project (which has technically already started), the first candidate to file his nomination papers for October's Waterloo mayoral contest has decided to run on an anti-LRT platform...and he's finding supporters.}} <!-- https://www.webcitation.org/6NjZ4aZTt?url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/pat-d-lynch/waterloo-lrt_b_4867987.html -->
</ref> GrandLinq is the preferred bidder.<ref>{{cite news |last=Desmond|first=Paige |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4391166-top-lrt-bid-comes-in-under-budget/ |title=Top LRT bid comes in under budget |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=February 28, 2014}}</ref> The final approval of the GrandLinq bid came at a full council meeting on March 19,<ref>{{cite news |last=Desmond |first=Paige |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4421013-cambridge-won-t-get-break-on-share-of-lrt-costs/ |title=Cambridge won't get break on share of LRT costs |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |date=March 20, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320070715/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4421013-cambridge-won-t-get-break-on-share-of-lrt-costs/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and financial close was made May 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://regionofwaterloo.ca/en/newslist/index.aspx?corpId=58cynQlfgqiAYQyTLmpurQeQuAleQuAl&newsId=rbcSY22NXNwVmwlSXocUrAeQuAleQuAl |title=Region finalizes agreement with GrandLinq for ION Stage 1 LRT |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=May 9, 2014 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512171200/http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/newslist/index.aspx?corpId=58cynQlfgqiAYQyTLmpurQeQuAleQuAl&newsId=rbcSY22NXNwVmwlSXocUrAeQuAleQuAl |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Construction==
[[File:Willis Way stn construction.jpg|thumb|Willis Way station under construction in December 2015; both the embedded track and station platform have been poured]]

* Utility relocation and other associated work began in late 2013. Construction officially started with a groundbreaking event on August 21, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/News/index.aspx?feedId=8875ce86-7f88-4551-bed8-f7a077a906db&newsId=f49676b6-80ee-43d8-bb29-513176f2c26 |title=ION ground-breaking ceremony set for August 21 |publisher=Region of Waterloo |access-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref>
* The first sections of the route scheduled for work were Borden Avenue in Kitchener, and Caroline Street in Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web |last=Desmond|first=Paige |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4737192-caroline-borden-first-sites-for-lrt-work/ |title=Caroline, Borden first sites for LRT work |date=August 7, 2014 |publisher=Waterloo Region Record |access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> 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 the [[Kitchener Public Utilities Commission|streetcar line]], abandoned in the 1950s, unearthed during excavation.<ref name="KWRed2015-03-27" />
* 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Desmond|first1=Paige|title=LRT construction 90 per cent complete|url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/7035590-lrt-construction-90-per-cent-complete/|access-date=December 26, 2016|work=Waterloo Region Record|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref>
* In late February 2017, [[Bombardier Transportation]] had delivered a single sample-only LRV for testing. 
<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharkey|first=Jackie|date=February 24, 2017|title=First ION LRT car has arrived in Waterloo Region: Take a look|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/first-ion-lrt-car-has-arrived-in-waterloo-region-take-a-look-1.3997653|access-date=March 24, 2017|website=CTV News|publisher=Bell Media}}</ref> The Region reiterated that Stage 1 rail service would start in "early" 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flanagan|first=Ryan|date=February 24, 2017|title=Bombardier '100% committed' to delivering Ion vehicles by end of 2017|url=http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/bombardier-100-committed-to-delivering-ion-vehicles-by-end-of-2017-1.3299914|access-date=March 24, 2017|website=CTV News|publisher=Bell Media}}</ref>

* 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.<ref name=TheRecord2017-07-05>
{{cite news 
| url         = https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7408649-cambridge-council-opposes-proposed-lrt-route-through-preston/
| title       = Cambridge council opposes proposed LRT route through Preston
| work        = [[Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]
| author      = Anam Latif
| date        = 2017-07-05
| location    = [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]]
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = Preston residents have resisted the region's proposed route since it was made public earlier this year. It connects Kitchener to Cambridge through Preston by travelling down Shantz Hill Road then Eagle Street and Hespeler Road before it moves further south.
}}
</ref> Some routes and stops had been agreed upon in 2011, but the final plan was scheduled for completion in mid 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sharkey|first=Jackie|date=February 8, 2017|title=There's still wiggle room in the Region of Waterloo's LRT plans for Cambridge|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lrt-ion-cambridge-region-waterloo-1.3970421|access-date=March 10, 2017|website=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sharkey|first=Jackie|date=February 2017|title=Stage 2 ION: Light Rail Transit (LRT)|url=https://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/FINAL_Stage-2-ION-PCC-No.-2-Display-Boards_reduced2.pdf|access-date=March 24, 2017|website=Region of Waterloo}}</ref>

=== Shuttle services ===
[[File:Ion Bus on 302.jpg|thumb|250px|GRT Ion bus used on BRT service.]]

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAPID TRANSIT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHASE 2, STEP 3b – PREFERRED RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM OPTION AND STAGING PLAN|url=http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/projectinformation/resources/e-09-073_-_recommended_system_report.pdf|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ION Bus Rapid Transit - Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://www.grt.ca/en/travelwithus/FAQ-ION-Bus-Rapid-Transit.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325024953/http://www.grt.ca/en/travelwithus/FAQ-ION-Bus-Rapid-Transit.asp|archive-date=March 25, 2017|access-date=March 24, 2017}}</ref> This bus route is properly known as '''302 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 the [[BRT 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.<ref name="TheRecord2017-07-05" />

===Design===

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|date=June 2019}} Each station is also recognizable by a 'feature wall', a {{convert|3|m|ftin|adj=on}} 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|date=June 2019}} Each wall features illuminated Ion and GRT logos, as well as the station's name set in [[Clearview (typeface)|Clearview]]. 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|date=June 2019}}

There are ten public art installations within the Ion corridor with artworks at [[Conestoga station|Conestoga]], [[Research and Technology station|Research and Technology]], [[Grand River Hospital station|Grand River Hospital]], [[Kitchener Market station|Kitchener Market]], [[Mill station|Mill]], [[Block Line station|Block Line]] and [[Fairway station|Fairway]].<ref name=Record-2017-02-16>{{cite web |url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7144774-ion-public-art-costs-more-than-anticipated-but-will-make-region-friendlier-/ |title=Ion public art costs more than anticipated but will make region "friendlier" |publisher=[[Waterloo Region Record]] |first=Samantha |last=Beattie |date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=January 3, 2018 }}</ref> A further piece, ''Fabric of Place'' by [[Lilly 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.<ref name=Record-2017-02-16/>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160px">
File:Laurier–Waterloo Park Station Oct 2017.jpg|Laurier–Waterloo Park Station, in October 2017, showing the canopy structure and stone-tile feature wall
File:Waterloo ION gauntlet track.jpg|Gauntlet track at station where regular freight trains pass as well
File:Fabric of Place.jpg|''Fabric of Place''
</gallery>

==Stations==

===Ion light rail stations===
As of May 2nd, 2024, ION 301 consists of 19 stations.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! style="width:20%" | Station
! style="width:20%" | Location
! style="width:30%" | Notes
! style="width:15%" | Coords
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Conestoga}}
| West of [[Conestoga Mall (Waterloo, Ontario)|Conestoga Mall]]
| Major transit interchange with connections to GRT and iXpress bus services
| {{coord|43.49829|-80.52951|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Northfield}}
| Rail corridor at Northfield Dr
| [[Waterloo Central Railway]] terminates at this station
| {{coord|43.49722|-80.54333|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Research and Technology}}
| Rail corridor near bend in Wes Graham Way
| Near the David Johnston Research and Technology Park
| {{coord|43.48136|-80.54527|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|University of Waterloo}}
| [[University of Waterloo]] main campus
| Across from Davis Centre along Ring Road / Laurel Trail
| {{coord|43.47312|-80.54107|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Laurier–Waterloo Park}}
| Rail corridor at Seagram Drive
| Near [[Wilfrid Laurier University]] and [[Waterloo Park]]
| {{coord|43.46899|-80.53450|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Waterloo Public Square}}
| Rail corridor at King St
| Northbound only
| {{coord|43.46414|-80.52289|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Willis Way}}
| Caroline St south of Willis Way
| Southbound only
| {{coord|43.46228|-80.52354|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Allen}}
| King St at Allen St
|
| {{coord|43.46015|-80.51886|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Grand River Hospital}}
| King St at Pine St
| In front of [[Grand River Hospital]]; near [[Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School|Kitchener–Waterloo Collegiate]]
| {{coord|43.45730|-80.51217|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Central}}
| King St at Victoria St
| Transit hub will provide connections to [[GO Transit]], [[Via Rail]], and [[FlixBus]] services
| {{coord|43.45304|-80.49874|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Kitchener City Hall}}
| Duke St at Young St
| Northbound only; near [[Kitchener City Hall]]
| {{coord|43.45202|-80.49104|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Victoria Park}}
| Charles St at Gaukel St
| Southbound only; near [[Victoria Park, Kitchener|Victoria Park]]
| {{coord|43.45016|-80.49354|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Frederick}}
| Frederick St at King St
| Northbound only
| {{coord|43.44938|-80.48748|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Queen}}
| Charles St at Queen St
| Southbound only
| {{coord|43.44871|-80.48961|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Kitchener Market}}
| Charles St at Cedar St
| Near the [[Kitchener Farmer's Market]] and [[Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute]]
| {{coord|43.44648|-80.48396|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Borden}}
| Charles St at Borden Ave
|
| {{coord|43.44228|-80.47501|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Mill}}
| On the rail line by Ottawa St at Mill St
|
| {{coord|43.43395|-80.47839|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Block Line}}
| Courtland Ave at Block Line Rd
| Near [[St. Mary's High School (Kitchener)|St. Mary's High School]]
| {{coord|43.42260|-80.46263|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|-
| {{stl|GRT|Fairway}}
| West of [[CF Fairview Park]]
| Southern terminus linked by Bus Rapid Transit to the [[Ainslie St. Transit Terminal]]; Park and Ride facility
| {{coord|43.42236|-80.44194|region:CA-ON_type:railwaystation|display=inline}}
|}

===Ion Bus stations===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 
! style="width:20%" | Stop
! style="width:20%" | Location
! style="width:30%" | Notes
! style="width:15%" | Coords
|-
| Fairway
| 
| Connection to light rail
| 
|-
|Sportsworld
|Sportsworld Crossing
|Connections to GO services
|{{coord|43.41018|-80.39245|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}} 
|-
|Pinebush
|Hespler Rd at Pinebush Rd
|
|{{coord|43.40774|-80.32777|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}} 
|-
|[[Cambridge Centre#Transit terminal|Cambridge Centre]]
|Cambridge Centre Terminal
|Beside Cambridge Centre
|{{coord|43.39286|-80.32215|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}} 
|-
|Can-Amera
|Hespler Rd at Can-Amera Pkwy
|
|{{coord|43.385810|-80.320900|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}}
|-
|Delta
|Hespler Rd at Coronation Blvd
|
|{{coord|43.37285|-80.31801|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}}
|-
|[[Ainslie St. Transit Terminal|Ainslie]]
|Ainslie St. Terminal
|Main Cambridge transfer hub for GRT services in Cambridge
|{{coord|43.35751|-80.31326|region:CA-ON_type:busstation|display=inline}} 
|}
{{GeoGroup}}

==Politics==
The project has attracted vocal support and opposition.

===Support===
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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=81680629050| title = I Support Light Rail Transit in the Region of Waterloo |website=Facebook.com |access-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref> Shortly after its creation, the group creator and other LRT supporters formed the "Tri-Cities Transport Action Group" (TriTAG).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://tritag.ca | title = TriTAG | publisher = Tri-Cities Transport Action Group}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tritag.ca/light-rail/why | title = Why Light Rail? | date = November 14, 2013 | publisher = Tri-Cities Transport Action Group/}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2009/week45/Friday/110608.htm | title = Tri-Cities Transport Action Group Counters T4ST Misinformation With New Website | journal = Exchange | location = Waterloo Region | page = 1 | date = November 6, 2009 | access-date = January 30, 2010 | archive-date = July 10, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110710211705/http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2009/week45/Friday/110608.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | title = TriTAG's presentation to the Regional budget committee | date = November 26, 2009 | publisher = Tri-Cities Transport Action Group | url = http://www.tritag.ca/blog/2009/11/26/tritags-presentation-to-the-regional-budget-committee/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2009 |title=Budget Committee - November 25, 2009 Public Input Minutes |url=http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/65154a7824ca249985257682005b3141!OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119151034/http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/65154a7824ca249985257682005b3141!OpenDocument |archive-date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=January 30, 2010 |publisher=The Region of Waterloo}}</ref> TriTAG has continued their support of the project into the bid stage in 2014; a notable contribution is a video outlining the landmarks and amenities that the route will access.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tritag.ca/blog/2014/02/26/where-will-ion-lrt-take-you/ |title=VIDEO: Where will ION Light Rail Transit take you? |date=February 26, 2014 |publisher=Tri-Cities Transport Action Group |access-date=March 9, 2014}}</ref> Proponents have asserted that the region's plans for rapid transit will be an essential component of planning and rationally controlling the Region's growth.<ref name=TorStarIonGrowth2015-12-11/>

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 the [[Waterloo 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.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8029390-boom-time-1-2-billion-in-building-permits-expected-for-downtown-kitchener/| title = Boom time: $1.2 billion in building permits expected for downtown Kitchener {{!}} TheRecord.com| date = December 29, 2017}}</ref>

===Opposition===
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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.t4st.com | title = Main Page - Wiki | publisher = Taxpayers for Sensible Transit}}</ref> 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 of [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]], called for examining the cost of cancelling the light rail line.<ref name=Cbc2013-08-20>
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-mayor-wants-to-look-at-cost-of-cancelling-lrt-1.1303894
| title       = Cambridge mayor wants to look at cost of cancelling LRT: Doug Craig favours bus rapid transit
| newspaper   = [[CBC News]]
| date        = August 20, 2013
| access-date  = September 16, 2013
| quote       = While Craig called for examining the cost of the potential cancellation of the LRT, he stopped short of providing what would constitute a reasonable price tag, saying instead that he believed the region could easily opt out of its current plan in favour of something else, even though construction on light rail had already started.
}}
</ref>
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.<ref>
{{cite news
 |url=http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4224670-mayor-wants-cambridge-exempt-from-paying-for-light-rail-transit-in-kitchener-waterloo/ 
 |title=Mayor wants Cambridge exempt from paying for Light Rail Transit in Kitchener, Waterloo 
 |newspaper=[[Waterloo Region Record]] 
 |last=Martin 
 |first=Ray 
 |date=November 19, 2013 
 |access-date=November 20, 2013 
 |archive-date=October 11, 2014 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011000934/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4224670-mayor-wants-cambridge-exempt-from-paying-for-light-rail-transit-in-kitchener-waterloo/ 
 |url-status=dead 
}}
</ref>

The first candidate to announce his run for Mayor of the City of Waterloo in the 2014 election, local media personality Dave MacDonald, was running on a primarily anti-LRT platform.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/broadcaster-to-run-for-waterloo-mayor-on-anti-lrt-platform-1.2490211 |title=Broadcaster to run for Waterloo mayor on anti-LRT platform |newspaper=[[CBC News]] |access-date=January 14, 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/judge-dismisses-motion-to-stop-lrt-construction-1.2577593 |title=Judge dismisses motion to stop LRT construction |newspaper=[[CBC News]] |access-date=March 19, 2014}}</ref> It later emerged that the only citizen directly associated with the filing coalition was local businessman Jay Aissa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/amandamgrant/status/446027623995826176 |last=Grant|first=Amanda|title=Twitter / amandamgrant |website=Twitter |access-date=March 19, 2014 |quote=Only Jay Aissa is listed.}}</ref>
[[Ann Tucker]] of the [[Ontario Superior Court]] dismissed the suit on March 19, 2014.<ref name=RailwayMagazine2014-03-19>
{{cite journal
| url         = http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/judge-dismisses-challenge-to-waterloo-lrt.html
| title       = Judge dismisses challenge to Waterloo LRT
| journal     = [[Railway Age]]
| last        = Bowen
| first       = Douglas John
| date        = March 19, 2014
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140319232755/http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/judge-dismisses-challenge-to-waterloo-lrt.html
| archive-date = March 19, 2014
| url-status     = live
| quote       = Ontario Superior Court Judge Ann Tucker rejected a challenge by a businessman to delay the project. Tucker's ruling on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, in part noted the plaintiff "is not a ratepayer of this region".
}}
</ref>

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.<ref>[http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/ken-seiling-remains-waterloo-region-chair-winning-by-comfortable-margin-1.2074106# Ken Seiling remains Waterloo Region chair, winning by comfortable margin]</ref>

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.<ref name=TheRecord2017-07-05/><ref name=Cbc2017-02-10/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Railways|Ontario}}

* [[Urban rail transit in Canada]]
* [[Rail transport in Ontario]]
* [[Public transport in Canada]]

==References==

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name=InternationalRailJournal2017-11-02>
{{cite news 
| url         = http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/light-rail/testing-begins-on-waterloo-lrt.html
| title       = Testing begins on Waterloo LRT 
| work        = [[International Rail Journal]]
| author      = Keith Barrow
| date        = 2017-11-02
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = CONSTRUCTION of the initial phase of the Ion light rail network in the Canadian city of Waterloo reached a milestone on November 7, when LRV testing began on a section of line close to the depot on Dutton Drive.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TheRecord2017-12-02>
{{cite news 
| url         = https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/7975492-light-rail-the-game-changer/
| title       = Light rail, the game-changer
| work        = [[Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]
| date        = 2017-12-02
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = There's a building boom along the LRT line between north Waterloo and south Kitchener and extending to the transit corridor that runs into Cambridge.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Globe2010-08-01>
{{cite news 
| url         = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/no-desire-for-this-waterloo-streetcar/article1388004/
| title       = GLOBE EDITORIAL: No desire for this Waterloo streetcar
| work = [[The Globe and Mail]]
| date        = August 1, 2010
| access-date  = March 13, 2017
| quote       = For an area with such a reputation for intelligence and education, however, the region's train plan is a surprisingly poor idea. And an issue of national significance.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TheRecord2016-05-20>
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6565440-bombardier-moves-lrt-train-production-to-kingston-to-keep-project-on-track/
| title       = Bombardier moves LRT train production to Kingston to keep project on track
| publisher   = [[Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]
| author      = Paige Desmond
| date        = May 20, 2016
| access-date  = May 22, 2016
| quote       = Marc-André Lefebvre, head of communications with Bombardier Canada, said five of the region's 14 LRVs will be completed in Thunder Bay and the rest will be made in Kingston starting in 2017.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TheRecord2016-04-13>
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6493556-bombardier-lrt-vehicles-delayed/
| title       = Bombardier LRT vehicles delayed
| publisher   = [[Waterloo Region Record]]
| date        = April 13, 2016
| author      = Paige Desmond
| archive-date = April 16, 2016
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160416030630/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6493556-bombardier-lrt-vehicles-delayed/
| url-status     = live
| quote = After months of saying troubles at Bombardier would not impact the region's LRVs, officials now say at least two trains will be late.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TorStarIonGrowth2015-12-11>
{{cite news
| url         = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/12/10/while-gta-crawls-ahead-waterloo-region-leads-way-on-light-rail.html
| title       = While GTA crawls ahead, Waterloo Region leads way on light rail
| last        = Kalinowski
| first       = Tess
| publisher   = [[Toronto Star]]
| date        = December 10, 2015
| access-date  = December 11, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211115823/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/12/10/while-gta-crawls-ahead-waterloo-region-leads-way-on-light-rail.html
| archive-date = December 11, 2015
| url-status     = live
| quote = At one point Bhatti says he could count 21 construction cranes along the LRT route as developers have embraced the project with new highrise condos and offices springing up along the line.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=KWRed2015-03-27>
{{cite news
| url         = http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5529608-century-old-streetcar-line-found-under-lrt-construction/
| title       = Century-old streetcar line found under LRT construction
| publisher   = [[Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]
| author      = Kevin Swayze
| date        = March 27, 2015
| location    = [[Kitchener, Ontario]]
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150330003434/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/5529608-century-old-streetcar-line-found-under-lrt-construction/
| archive-date = March 30, 2015
| access-date  = March 28, 2015
| url-status     = live
| quote       = Evidence of a century-old streetcar line between Kitchener and Waterloo has been uncovered as work starts on a new light rail transit system along King Street. A path of about 300 metres of rotten wooden ties down the middle of King near Wellington Street marks the old railway route, where the rails were removed in the 1950s.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TorStar2015-12-11>
{{cite news
| url         = https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/12/10/meet-the-brampton-commuter-behind-waterloos-lrt-project.html
| title       = Meet the Brampton commuter behind Waterloo's LRT project
| publisher   = [[Toronto Star]]
| date        = December 10, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20151211111801/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/12/10/meet-the-brampton-commuter-behind-waterloos-lrt-project.html
| archive-date = December 11, 2015
| url-status     = live
| access-date  = December 11, 2015
| quote       = Each stop on the ION LRT will have a unique identifying piece of art or feature wall using different treatments and finishes that reflect the neighbourhood.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=TheRecord2017-06-20>
{{cite news 
| url         = https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7382490-delivery-of-second-ion-train-delayed/
| title       = Delivery of second Ion train delayed
| work        = [[Kitchener-Waterloo Record]]
| author      = Johanna Weidner
| date        = 2017-06-20
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = Delivery of the region's second light rail vehicle has been delayed by a couple of months to give Bombardier extra time to work on the train at its Kingston plant.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Cbc2022-08-21>
{{cite news 
| url         = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ion-lrt-phase-2-to-cambridge-update-1.6553870
| title       = Stage 2 by 2032? Why Region of Waterloo says LRT into Cambridge is years away
| work        = [[CBC News]]
| author      = CBC Staff
| date        = 2022-08-21
| access-date  = 2022-08-21
| quote       = Construction is expected at the earliest to begin in 2028 and service start possible by 2032.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Cbc2017-02-10>
{{cite news     
| url         = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/cambridge-city-council-planning-development-committee-lrt-proposed-route-1.4191845
| title       = LRT Cambridge proposed route announced: Briefing session mid-day Friday by Region, Ion officials
| work        = [[CBC News]]
| author      = Andrea Bellemare
| date        = 2017-02-10
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = Sawicki said staff picked the preferred route after comparing alternate routes and seeing how well they performed in a number of categories, including how each route would impact the social and cultural atmosphere, the natural environment and the economy.
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Cbc2017-06-20>
{{cite news 
| url         = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/lrt-vehicle-two-delayed-delivery-1.4169068
| title       = Second LRT vehicle delivery delayed to late August at earliest: Vehicle was scheduled to arrive in June, will now arrive in late August or early September
| work        = [[CBC News]]
| author      = Andrea Bellemare
| date        = 2017-06-20
| access-date  = 2017-12-03
| quote       = "The community was told we were going to get our second vehicle at the end of June. Well, we could've gotten our second vehicle at the end of June, it would've come in at much better shape than the first vehicle, but it's better that it stays in Kingston until August, September and comes to us at a higher level of functionality," Galloway said in an interview with CBC News.
}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.grt.ca/en/ion-light-rail.aspx ION light rail] at [[Grand River Transit]]
*{{YouTube|channel=UCtI8g0TQPI5NRfPwgqHRn9g|title='''rideION'''}} (Official YouTube channel)
**{{YouTube|lETsrgOQtgY|ION Signs and Signals}} Published on April 2, 2020.
**{{YouTube|MReSTaokYk8|ION Track Installation}} Published on February 11, 2016.
**{{YouTube|NZ-slWfJkFw|ION Update - June 2016}} Published on June 1, 2016.
**{{YouTube|Nq7t0QSrRo8|How do we power our trains?}} Published on October 19, 2016.
**{{YouTube|_BCvnlbuRlY|How are ION trains operated?}} Published on Apr 4, 2017. Simplified overview of ION operations.
**{{YouTube|iKadSr6wLXs|ION signage}} Published on April 5, 2017. New signs for motorists near LRT tracks; white bar traffic lights for ION LRVs.
**{{YouTube|m1o0myj_YXY|Building the King Street Grade Separation}} Published on July 25, 2017.
**{{YouTube|m0n2kq6CbgI|ION Testing at Night}} Published on November 27, 2018.
*{{YouTube|k5I0Im1YP4s|Ion Vehicle Testing – Kingston, ON – October 2017}} 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. 
*[http://rideion.ca/ Official construction website]
*[http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/ Region of Waterloo - Rapid Transit Home]
*[http://centraltransitcorridor.ca/ Region of Waterloo - Central Transit Corridor Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314022822/http://centraltransitcorridor.ca/ |date=March 14, 2013 }}
*[http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/multimedialibrary/resources/ION_Schematic_map_vert.pdf Region of Waterloo - Map of Ion & iXpress routes]
*{{YouTube|l5Bf65yRrw4|Unloading the first Ion LRV}} Published on February 27, 2017, by a railfan.

{{GRT Terminals |state=expanded}}
{{Canadianmetros |state=collapsed}}
{{WaterlooRegion |state=collapsed}}

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