ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Canard]

BTW: I'll ask one last time; either I missed the answer or it hasn't been answer. The corrosion issues that the TTC discovered because of the faulty design and workmanship by Bombardier, does the Ion have the same problem? Or do we not know the answer to that?

The answer to that has not been made public.

Canard really, really wants a launch in nice weather!

True statement. I've waited years for this perfect day, and I'll be damned if it'll happen on a shitty, dreary grey day in the freezing cold.

My opinion is that it is selfish to be 'thrilled' about a delay that affects every person in the try-city area. Not only that, though, not guarantee that Canard will get what he wants.

I've obviously said something that has really, really offended or upset you - I'm very sorry. I'll go back to taking pictures and keeping my mouth shut...

[KevinL]

They weren't corrosion issues either they were welding defects.

Yes, welding defects by Bombardier:

"There is also no word on whether serious welding defects discovered in Toronto Transit Commission streetcars built by Bombardier are also present in the region's LRT vehicles." (July 2018)

Does this affect us?

My understanding is that all those defects were in frames welded in Mexico; all of our frames were welded in Canada.

[jeffster]

BTW: I'll ask one last time; either I missed the answer or it hasn't been answer. The corrosion issues that the TTC discovered because of the faulty design and workmanship by Bombardier, does the Ion have the same problem? Or do we not know the answer to that?

The answer to that has not been made public.

Thanks....I wonder why they're keeping it secret tho.

[tomh009]

I've said it a few times now, but it's clear the launch date of December was a lie the last time they said it, and as a voter, I feel that I was mislead.  Frankly, its unacceptable.

Well, after watching the news today, and perhaps I am reading into it, but apparently the ROW was setting a deadline of December to put fire to the feet of Bombardier.  So most likely both the ROW and Bombardier knew that December was a unrealistic target date; rather, it was one of hope.

I don't think Bombardier has so much to do with it at this point. It's the region's system (since the Metrolinx system went MIA) that needs to be integrated and debugged.

[Canard]

]

I don't think Bombardier has so much to do with it at this point. It's the region's system (since the Metrolinx system went MIA) that needs to be integrated and debugged.

This can't be stressed enough. The media still haven't latched onto this crucial fact. Our trains have been in a holding pattern since last February (when they were all almost complete), waiting on someone, anyone, to make a decision about what would fill the hole in the dash. A decision that should have been made years ago.

[danbrotherston]

I've said it a few times now, but it's clear the launch date of December was a lie the last time they said it, and as a voter, I feel that I was mislead.  Frankly, its unacceptable.

That isn't what I said.

What I said was that Regional Staff and/or Regional Council *KNEW* that the December deadline/estimate had been missed before the election and yet chose to hide that information.

I'm mad the deadline/estimate was missed.

I'm *MORE* mad that I feel I have been mislead by people in our government.

@Jeffster And yes, that estimate/deadline may have been optimistic, but regional staff/council claimed it was still possible, when clearly they knew it was not.

[ijmorlan]

My opinion is that it is selfish to be 'thrilled' about a delay that affects every person in the try-city area. Not only that, though, not guarantee that Canard will get what he wants.

I've obviously said something that has really, really offended or upset you - I'm very sorry.  I'll go back to taking pictures and keeping my mouth shut...

I would say it’s weird to want a later opening, for any reason. A likelihood of nicer weather is just an “on the plus side” feature of opening later.

It’s pretty ridiculous if anybody is still blaming Bombardier for this part of the delay. It’s clear they’ve got their act together now.

[Spokes]

]

I don't think Bombardier has so much to do with it at this point. It's the region's system (since the Metrolinx system went MIA) that needs to be integrated and debugged.

This can't be stressed enough.  The media still haven't latched onto this crucial fact.  Our trains have been in a holding pattern since last February (when they were all almost complete), waiting on someone, anyone, to make a decision about what would fill the hole in the dash.  A decision that should have been made years ago.

It's funny reading all of the media reports and tweets missing the facts.

Mike Willner is planning on taking it to the Bombardier COO tomorrow morning which should be interesting hah.

[Canard]

I feel horrible for asking, but who is that? Can you link or post to the article/interview once it is complete?

[jeffster]

I feel horrible for asking, but who is that?  Can you link or post to the article/interview once it is complete?

I know of a Mike Wilner that works the Blue Jays radio broadcast. Perhaps this is a side gig of his....

But in all seriousness, I have no idea who this Mike Willner is...

[Pheidippides]

True statement.  I've waited years for this perfect day, and I'll be damned if it'll happen on a shitty, dreary grey day in the freezing cold.

Well you had better brace yourself, you can get some pretty miserable April, even May, days.


What, no Ottawa LRT vs. Waterloo LRT "hold my beer" meme yet? I guess Ottawa is the front runner to open first again?


Interesting that the report characterizes the specialized equipment as GrandLinq’s:
“As part of the Project, GrandLinq is responsible for ensuring the finished vehicle integrates seamlessly with the built system.”
“The Region has finalized an agreement with Bombardier to install GrandLinq’s on-board equipment and to make the necessary onboard modifications to accommodate the equipment on each train.”

Does anyone know the nature of the problems caused by the software?
“Training of drivers has been delayed by vehicle reliability issues (it is expected that the next computer software upgrade will resolve the issues).”

Perhaps they should have spent less time on the flux-capacitor and time travel capabilities of the LRVs and more time on the on-board equipment:
“An ION vehicle has been present at some upcoming community events, with further events scheduled.”

Interesting that 504 is still at 51% completion of the on-board equipment – same as in September.

The report says that driver training has been delayed. So until the issue is resolved I would expect the same level of testing.
“Training of drivers has been delayed by vehicle reliability issues (it is expected that the next computer software upgrade will resolve the issues).”

[trainspotter139]

I feel horrible for asking, but who is that?  Can you link or post to the article/interview once it is complete?

I know of a Mike Wilner that works the Blue Jays radio broadcast.  Perhaps this is a side gig of his....

But in all seriousness, I have no idea who this Mike Willner is...

Mike Farwell not Mike Wilner

[rangersfan]

The repeatedly delays of the project I feel have killed the interest / momentum / excitement of launch.

[Canard]

Interesting that the report characterizes the specialized equipment as GrandLinq’s:

Of course it is. That is the whole issue! That’s why it’s called Free-Issued Equipment, or FIE (eff eye aiee).

With the original 182 LRV order, Metrolinx was to “fill the hole in the dash”, and we were to get and use the same system. They didn’t come up with an in-cab signaling system. So, the Region/GrandLinq scrambled to come up with an off-the-shelf solution from another vendor. They finally did that, and only recently penned an agreement with Bombardier to have them install it.... only after they realized they couldn’t do it themselves!

Bombardier has actually helped them out, and everyone is slamming them for it. It’s absolutely maddening.

“As part of the Project, GrandLinq is responsible for ensuring the finished vehicle integrates seamlessly with the built system.”
“The Region has finalized an agreement with Bombardier to install GrandLinq’s on-board equipment and to make the necessary onboard modifications to accommodate the equipment on each train.”

Perhaps they should have spent less time on the flux-capacitor and time travel capabilities of the LRVs and more time on the on-board equipment:
“An ION vehicle has been present at some upcoming community events, with further events scheduled.”

Interesting that 504 is still at 51% completion of the on-board equipment – same as in September.

My response to this in a neutral tone: Trains like these are available "turn-key". In some cases the customer(s) decide to mandate their own equipment. This can cause a delay in making the LRVs into an LRT system.

[jeffster]

The repeatedly delays of the project I feel have killed the interest / momentum / excitement of launch.

^^^^^ This...

It's not just that, but also at least an extra 18 months of higher property taxes with zero to show for it.

I was looking forward to the launch. Most people would be naive to believe that the ROW and Bombardier would have been 'on-time' despite promises of 'on-time' (and on budget, which it is not), but delay after delay after delay is not cool.

Where I live we *used* to have bus service, but it was removed when the LRT was approved, just in time for my kid to start high school. Lots more traffic now too. That said, my daughter had been looking forward to taking the LRT from her school to my work for a couple years -- this won't happen now. Both my kids are older now too, and had interest in the LRT a while back, but have lost all interest, as have I, and I really don't care anymore. Not like I can use it, but I had planned on trying it out a few time.

I know Canard is tickled pink with the delay, but the cynical part of me (which I wasn't when they first planned the LRT) is expecting more delays past spring, so I'll laugh my ass off if it gets delay again to mid-November next year and ruins everyone photo op. Though this is Ontario, you can have beautiful days in November - February and absolute crap March thru October.