New ION bus to be unveiled

Waterloo Region – Grand River Transit’s (GRT) new ION bus will be rolling out this month following a special unveiling at Ainslie Street Terminal on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.

ION bus is funded through the Region of Waterloo’s Stage 1 rapid transit project, which also includes a bus rapid transit system from the Fairway ION station in Kitchener to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge. The rapid transit project also includes a light rail connection from the Conestoga ION station in Waterloo to the Fairway ION station in Kitchener. Stage 1 of the project is funded through Federal, Provincial and Regional contributions. 

“The Government of Canada recognizes how important affordable and efficient transit infrastructure is to growing the middle class, and helping Canadians get to work on time and back home quickly at the end of the day,” said Bryan May, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Projects like the new ION buses in Cambridge are key to providing inclusive and innovative public transit, making Waterloo Region a stronger and more sustainable community.”

 “This is great news for Cambridge,” said Transportation Minister Kathryn McGarry. “Waterloo Region is one of the fastest-growing urban regions in Ontario, and our government has committed up to $325 million to support rapid transit here in our community. The new ION buses will provide much-needed transit to help residents get to work, school or appointments. By connecting the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and linking up with GO Transit services, we are making sure people are able to get where they need to be quickly and easily.”

“The new ION buses will provide Cambridge residents with a high-tech, environmentally-friendly transportation option,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. “The ION buses will become a well-recognized, integral part of the connectivity route between Cambridge and Kitchener.”

The nine new ION buses have a number of unique features including USB charging ports, free Wi-Fi, high-visibility white destination signs, more comfortable high back seating, tinted flush-mounted windows, and aluminum wheels.

ION buses will travel on various routes throughout Cambridge when they first roll out. Once ION LRT launches, the ION buses will be placed on their permanent route between Ainslie Terminal in Cambridge and the Fairway ION station in Kitchener.

ION bus is the first step towards light rail transit (LRT) in Cambridge. Stage 2 ION will see the ION bus service replaced by ION LRT, creating a light rail transit system that connects Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. In preparation for Stage 2 ION, the Region is undertaking extensive public consultation on the route and station locations.

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For more information, please contact:

John Cicuttin, Manager Transit Development, Transit Services, jcicuttin@regionofwaterloo.ca

519-585-7597 Ext. 7277

Sandy Roberts, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Transit Services, sroberts@regionofwaterloo.ca

519-585-7597 Ext. 7231