Keolis launches ION Light Rail Transit in Ontario, Canada

Keolis has launched the ION Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Ontario, Canada.

The new rapid transit system will serve residents and visitors of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, as well as surrounding rural municipalities.

Keolis Grand River – Keolis’ local subsidiary – is responsible for the 16km of light rail line operations for the next 10 years, and maintenance for the next 30 years.

The ION LRT is transformative for the Region of Waterloo, which is the fourth largest community in Ontario with an existing population of over half a million. The network is funded by all three levels of government and fully integrated within the Region of Waterloo’s existing public transport service, Grand River Transit (GRT). The transport options, for which just one fare applies, are designed to be flexible and inclusive as the population grows.

This light rail forms a central part of the Region’s ambitious master plan for sustainable mobility to create one urban area, from the three cities, and to increase the attractiveness of the Technological Triangle of Canada.

The trams will run on a dedicated rapid route along tracks isolated from regular traffic, except at intersections and road crossings. The project is divided into two phases. Phase 2 studies are underway.

ION light rail transit system phase 1 at a glance:

• 16 km network with 19 stations (25 000 passengers per day expected).
• 14 accessible, low-floor, comfortable, electric and silent light rail vehicles (LRVs) made by Bombardier (Ontario) operating every eight minutes during peak hours with off-peak schedule of 15 minutes frequency.
• 200 passengers capacity per vehicle.
• ION Light Rail will be fully integrated within the existing GRT network – ION and GRT will be one system with one fare.
• 40 LRV operators have participated in an extensive training program (120+ hours).
• The Control Room will feature 15 employees supervising train operations, power management and coordinating incident response 24/7 all year round.
• 30 technicians and engineers will monitor and maintain the LRVs and the infrastructure.