Tendering process begins for Region of Waterloo's rapid transit system

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo is moving forward with delivering a rapid transit system that will serve residents in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. The Region released its Request for Qualification (RFQ) today to pre-qualify and shortlist project teams who will deliver the light rail portion of the project.

Waterloo Region’s rapid transit system will provide a frequent, reliable and convenient way for residents to travel throughout the Region, while strengthening the local economy and creating jobs.

The rapid transit system, as approved by Regional Council in June 2011, will fundamentally shape the community for the future by bringing light rail transit (LRT) in two stages. Stage 1 is a 36-kilometre corridor that includes 19 kilometres of LRT from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener and 17 kilometres of adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge. LRT service is expected to begin in 2017. The aBRT service, which is not part of this RFQ, will run in mixed traffic and feature limited stops and transit signal priority. Both the aBRT and LRT services will connect with the Region’s exiting public transit network, Grand River Transit, as well as GO Transit. Stage 2 will convert the aBRT line to LRT, creating a seamless 37-kilometre system of 23 stations between Cambridge and Waterloo.

The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the light rail portion of the Region’s rapid transit project. RFQ submissions will be evaluated to pre-qualify project teams with the design, construction, operations and maintenance capability and experience as well as the qualified personnel and financial strength to deliver a project of this size and complexity. The short-listed teams will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP), expected to be released in the spring of 2013.

The Region has engaged Infrastructure Ontario as the Commercial Procurement Lead for the LRT project. In this role, Infrastructure Ontario will provide advice to the Region during the procurement phase.

• The RFQ is available on the Region’s website at http://bit.ly/PeWK1v

• Explore the Region’s Rapid Transit project at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/rapidtransit

• Find out more about Infrastructure Ontario at www.infrastructureontario.ca

All three levels of government have announced funding commitments to the Region of Waterloo's rapid transit system.

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For more information please contact:

Kimberly Moser, Manager, Rapid Transit Community Relations, Phone: 519-575-4757, ext. 3461
Cell: 519-501-6266, kmoser@regionofwaterloo.ca