ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[ijmorlan]

How many more trains are we waiting on to arrive?  I assume a lot has to do with that.

I believe we are waiting for 501 (re-delivery), 510, 512 (apparently en route), 513, and 514.

[tomh009]

Hmmm. It's set to 10 now, I'm pretty sure it used to be 15. Spokes?

Yes, I changed it to 10, trying some things.

OK, at least it's intentional!

[danbrotherston]

I don't want to make this into "wow we're really behind schedule" thing, but when the project was first announced was it late 2017 or early 2018 that was the target completion date?

Target completion date was "Fall 2017".

[Spokes]

I don't want to make this into "wow we're really behind schedule" thing, but when the project was first announced was it late 2017 or early 2018 that was the target completion date?

Target completion date was "Fall 2017".

That's what I was remembering.  Thanks!

[kitborn]

Saw a double train on Duke Street today.

   
   

[Canard]

Gah that looks so good. I wish we could have double-length trains right from the start!

[welltoldtales]

I want the first run to just be all the trains hooked together. And blaring ABBA or something.

[timc]

Speaking of double trains, I've been wondering about the plans for that. Will the timeline remain the same, or be shifted to be later due to the late opening of service?

[KevinL]

And you got lovely photos, as well. Thanks for sharing!

[jeffster]

For exactly that reason.

Huh. That's exactly the reason I would announce it before an election.

Just three weeks ago, we were told that things were still on track for December. I know that I don't like being lied to. If it is already known that that is not going to happen, then the public should be informed. As the saying goes, "a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy."

I don't think politicians are known for their honesty. While I am hopeful that it will be ready in December (which could mean December 31), I don't think we'll be seeing it before the end of winter (as in before the May long weekend, in political speak).

If they were to tell us now that it will be ready in spring (which, in political speak is anytime before the Canada Day long weekend), a lot of politicians could potentially lose their re-election bid. If they tell us after the election, then everyone has 4 years to cool off, and perhaps 3 years to see the LRT in action and 2022 won't be such an issue.

[tomh009]

If they were to tell us now that it will be ready in spring (which, in political speak is anytime before the Canada Day long weekend) (…)

Technically, the spring equinox (20 March) is the first day of spring, and the summer solstice (21 June) is the first day of summer. Even if those dates don't quite match our seasons in practice.

That said, I'm hoping that Canard is wrong this time and we are not that far away from operation.

[Canard]

Saw 505 kissing 506 on Charles an hour ago. ❤️

[clasher]

Saw 505 kissing 506 on Charles an hour ago. ❤️

I saw two of them roll by Charles while I was heading east on Stirling... too far and too fast to get a picture but it was neat.

[tomh009]

Will 512 be the second train that has the Metrolinx equipment installed, after 511? Have any been completed in the region yet?

(Yes, we have now confirmed it's Metrolinx equipment, so let's call a spade a spade.)

[trainspotter139]

Will 512 be the second train that has the Metrolinx equipment installed, after 511? Have any been completed in the region yet?

(Yes, we have now confirmed it's Metrolinx equipment, so let's call a spade a spade.)

The 3 that were being worked on here should be complete by now. Of course, we probably won't know for sure until they make an appearance out on the line again.