CANADA
Like a thriving body needs a strong circulatory system , a thriving region needs strong transit infrastructure to move its residents and visitors throughout its streets and cities . In Canada ’ s Regional Municipality of Waterloo , plans for improved rapid transit promise to infuse new vitality throughout the region by effectively connecting its core cities of Waterloo , Kitchener , and Cambridge . This improved connection comes in the form of its ION system , a $ 1.8 billion multi-step project comprised of an adapted bus rapid transit system ( aBRT ) from Kitchener to Cambridge to be completed this year and a light rail transit ( LRT ) system connecting Waterloo to Kitchener which is slated for completion in 2017 .
Innovation and Integration Several points set the Region of Waterloo ’ s ION LRT system apart from similar projects . One critical point is its consciousness toward accommodating as many of the region ’ s residents as possible . This goal contributed toward designing the ION LRT system as the first ever
100 percent low-floor vehicle in rapid transit , a feature that will increase access to residents with physical disabilities .
“ No one else has that in North America at this point , we would be the first ones ,” said Darshpreet Bhatti , Director for the Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit Division . Bhatti noted that while MetroLinx is also working to procure low-floor vehicles , ION LRT will make its debut first . “ It ’ s a unique opportunity to bring a very AODA-compliant vehicle to the region , and it will make accessibility to and from the vehicles much easier for passengers .”
Another point that sets the ION LRT system apart is the space that it shares with multiple entities . First off is the space it will be sharing with other rail entities . “ Another unique component of our project is that we ’ re among the first in North America where we ’ re sharing a corridor with freight ,” Bhatti added . “ There are many examples of it in Europe , but very few in the way we ’ re doing it in North America .”
Even more important is the space that ION LRT will be sharing with the rest of the Region of Waterloo — the
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