ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[MidTowner]

My understanding is that trains will be running the length of the line, but not according to any schedule (so I expect slower).

I'm really curious to see how long the line ups really are. I might just take the bus home as usual and plan on riding for the first time on Monday...

[Tony_Plow]

I heard on the radio that they're setting up events at each station (face painting, prizes for kids, mini-Oktoberfest, etc.).  Does anyone know what day that's happening?  Is it today only? Saturday only? Both days?

[robdrimmie]

Victoria Park station had temporary line queue railing setup as of about an hour ago. My plan is to take a slightly early lunch and see what the lines are like and if possible pop up to the Market Station to grab a bit from somewhere over there, and if possible take it to Mill St Station at the end of the day to get most of the way home.

[taylortbb]

Getting ready to head out the door now.  Got my VIP pass in hand, and can't wait to board the 1st train! ... Even if it's only for two stops

Coke

I haven't looked into what the schedules are going to be like for today. I was going to be running around downtown later on - am I able to catch a tram back to Fairview Station from say, Market Station? Or is today going to be only operating on certain stations?

Every station is in service as of noon. Trains are expected to be about every 10 mins until service ends at 8pm.

[Spokes]

We finally made it!!!

Who's going today?? Don't forget to post pictures.

[JoeKW]

Any livestreams?

[bgb_ca]

Any livestreams?

Thought I heard ctv was

But I'm here in person so I never looked

[Bob_McBob]

Any livestreams?

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=68597

[JoeKW]

Found it: https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=68597

[Bob_McBob]

[ac3r]

I passed Victoria Park Station about 10 minutes to noon and barely saw anybody but a few staff. I thought there'd be people lining up to catch trains at each stop once they all opened at lunch.

[robdrimmie]

We may have passed each other ac3r, I walked by shortly after. Thankfully it was filling out more a few minutes ago when a train was pulling through. I think it might have been the first one that left from Conestoga but I didn't pay close enough attention to times.

12pm
   



12:26

   


   

[kps]

Opening run arriving at the Transit Hub.

   

(The VIA train came through three minutes after the LRT left. I had been hoping to catch them together.)

[ac3r]

I was looking at the platform itself and didn't really see anyone, so I didn't notice the line. It doesn't look too bad. I should have got in line to catch it back to Fairview, rather than the 7B. But I had a bunch of architecture journals to carry and it was hot haha. I'll go down to the market tomorrow and take the tram there and back instead.

Even though I don't live here, it's great to see this finally up and running. It's truly going to reshape this city.

[robdrimmie]

Yeah, the line at 12 was 4 or 5 people, but the first train wasn't expected for 26 minutes (I also took a shot while walking towards the station along Charles from Water street that I only just looked at) and at 12:30 there were perhaps 20. I saw a few shots from the ceremony on Twitter and there appears to be a lot of people there, so perhaps that's where the majority will be.

There were no face painters or Oktoberfest things or such, just a handful of folks in vests helping people and the lines.