ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[bgb_ca]

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/vide...Id=1678468&binId=1.1147261&playlistPageNum=1#_gus&_gucid=&_gup=twitter&_gsc=IW70WOQ

[Bob_McBob]

TL;DW:

• spring launch confirmed
  
• majority of LRVs have PAC and are undergoing burn-in
  
• minimum of 12 LRV will have completed burn-in by the end of spring (enough to start service)
  
• no word on cost overrun yet
  
• there will be a period of free service
  

[Bob_McBob]

I've been checking for the agenda update all day and they put it up around 4pm, but this time they've left out all mention of ION, so we'll have to wait until the actual meeting.

[Bob_McBob]

June 21!

10:30am launch at Fairway Station followed by 10 days of free service from June 21 to July 1.

[bgb_ca]

Hmm. I start work at 1130 and both work and home is on the route.

[jeffster]

June 21!

10:30am launch at Fairway Station followed by 10 days of free service from June 21 to July 1.

Wow....1 hour and 24 minutes before summer. Sorry, hate to be annal, but that ain't a spring launch date.

Then again, to this government, "spring" is anytime before the Christmas, and winter can be anytime before summer, so I guess technically this launch is a mid-fall 2018 (sic) launch. Or close enough....kinda like how Tower 1 became Tower 2, and Tower 2 became Tower 1, and Tower 2 become Tower 3 and Tower 4 became Tower 3. Or something like that.

[Acitta]

The official opening ceremony will be at Fairway Station.

[tomh009]

The official opening ceremony will be at Fairway Station.

I hope we will all be there, wearing WRC T-shirts (or hats, or something)!

[Bob_McBob]

According to the now-updated agenda, what was achieved at the end of July 2017 was "substantial performance," and substantial completion is expected on June 19.

• Remaining work under the contract relates mainly to the commissioning and testing of the light rail vehicles, and ensuring the full integration of the vehicles with all of the LRT system instrumentation and controls (e.g. signals, switches, controls, etc.).
  
• All fourteen vehicles are being used to complete system testing, training and demonstration activities and vehicle modifications
  
• Ten vehicles are “ready for service” and three have completed the burn in process
  
• Technical aspects of Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC) on 10 vehicles is completed and certificates will be issued as Bombardier completes the supporting documentation and Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) processes still need to be completed.
  

And, well shit:

The last major test that needs to be completed is the system demonstration service test. In this test GrandLinq is required to operate the system as if service were being provided and complete other tests to demonstrate that they and the system are ready for service. This proves the ability to run to a schedule and confirms readiness for service. This testing is scheduled for June 2019 just prior to service start. There will be communication to the public prior to the start of the demonstration service.

While there has been ongoing safety testing and certification, the final step in safety certification takes place during the system demonstration phase. At the end of the demonstration service phase final safety certification of the system will be achieved prior to entering into service. Any issues in completing testing or the safety certification could result in delays to the scheduled June 21 start of service date.

That would be a PR disaster.

[Acitta]

Get ready to ride - ION light rail service starts June 21, 2019! For all your #ReadyToRideION info visit (link: http://grt.ca/ION) grt.ca/ION
 

[jgsz]

Woohoo!!!

[jeffster]

The official opening ceremony will be at Fairway Station.

I hope we will all be there, wearing WET T-shirts (or hats, or something)!

I read "WRT T-shirts" .. glad my mind isn't in the gutter...

[Acitta]

Here is a link to the complete agenda. https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/Cou...47013cd87b

There is information about what is happening prior to ION start of service such as changes to the GRT website, the opening of the GRT customer service centre at King and Benton, upcoming publications, ION Bus, etc.

[Bob_McBob]

The GRT network changes are scheduled to begin on June 24, the Monday following the launch.

https://www.grt.ca/en/about-grt/ion-events.aspx

[danbrotherston]

June 21!

10:30am launch at Fairway Station followed by 10 days of free service from June 21 to July 1.

Wow....1 hour and 24 minutes before summer. Sorry, hate to be annal, but that ain't a spring launch date.
....

If you are being either annal or anal it is spring.  In fact I'm sure that's why the date was chosen because it is technically spring. I wonder how likely they will actually be ready vs launching just to meet the deadline.