ION trains travelling at higher speeds

Waterloo Region – Over the coming weeks, as the opening of the ION light rail service approaches, trains will be travelling at higher speeds and at higher frequencies.

Trains can run at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour, and beginning this week, trains will begin to travel through intersections at higher speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour.

Residents are reminded to follow signage, to stay off the tracks and to treat trains with the same caution as any vehicle.

ION trains run on electricity and are quiet. This means that trains may not always be heard against typical street noise and motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should always stay alert near the ION light rail system.

Pedestrians should:

• Look both ways and always use pedestrian crossings to cross the tracks
• Continue to follow pedestrian signals and never step in front of a train
• Always look up from smartphones and mute headphones before crossing tracks

Cyclists should:

• Never ride on the tracks and look both ways when crossing the tracks
• Follow signs and signals
• Cross the tracks at a right angle

Motorists should:

• Never drive on the ION tracks. ION trains travel on their own lane.
• Never stop or park on the light rail tracks – any vehicle stopped or parked on the tracks will be ticketed and towed
• Follow signage and stop on red lights and at stop lines

For more information on light rail safety, visit www.GRT.ca/ION

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For more information please contact:

TJ Flynn Manager, Community Relations, ION, 519-575-4757, ext. 3461 or email tflynn@regionofwaterloo.ca