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On the streets since testing began back in January, lucky observers in Kitchener-Waterloo have had several months now to catch a glimpse of the city's fleet of ION 506 Flexity Freedom LRVs in operation along the 19-km route connecting each of the two municipalities. Running from Connestoga Mall south through the University of Waterloo, Wilfird Laurier University, Waterloo Public Square, Kitchener City Hall, and onwards to Fairview, the 19-stop LRT line will be a transformative project for the region, knitting SW Ontario's tech sector together like never before.
Using the same Flexity Freedom LRVs by Bombardier that will be used on the Eglinton Crosstown in Toronto, the ION network will begin operation with 14 cars, with more to come should the line become a runaway success.
While the line was due to open last year, delays and cost overruns have slowed the pace of the project, the updated start of service date now expected for December, 2018.
Due to the delays, those familiar with the region have had a long time to settle into the reality of an active LRT line one day soon running through the middle of the two adjacent communities, the site of idle stations and tracks brightened a little as testing continues through the summer.
SkyriseCities will be sure to return to this project as progress continues. For more information, check out the associated Forum page, and as always, feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.
