page_title: Ion rapid transit
section_title: Vehicles
hierarchical_section_title: Ion rapid transit / Vehicles
caption_attribution_description: English: Bombardier Flexity Freedom, Ion unit 507. Photographed at Queen Station during system testing.
context_page_description: Ion, stylized as ION, is an integrated public transportation network in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It is operated by Keolis and is part of the Grand River Transit system, partially replacing GRT's Route 200 iXpress bus service. The section of Route 200 serving Cambridge has been renamed "Ion Bus". The first phase commenced operations on June 21, 2019, between the north end of Waterloo and the south end of Kitchener. A future extension of light rail to the downtown Galt area of Cambridge is planned but construction may not begin on that line until 2025.
  In 2009, an Environmental Assessment began to create a proposal of electrically-powered light rail transit through Kitchener and Waterloo, and adapted bus rapid transit from Kitchener to Cambridge. On June 24, 2009, Regional Council voted to approve the project, subject to funding from higher levels of government, which was in turn approved by council on June 15, 2011. This was followed by a community building strategy to guide development, identify key destinations, and strengthen regional connections.
context_section_description: On July 10, 2013, it was reported that a deal was finalized with Metrolinx to join its contract with Bombardier Transportation for the purchase of 14 Flexity Freedom LRVs to form the system's initial fleet, with an option to purchase up to 14 more as the need arises.
  A further report on July 12, 2013 stated that the region would be purchasing 14 LRVs, with an option to buy 16 more.
  The 14 vehicles are estimated to cost $92.4 million, an average of $6.6 million per vehicle. The cost breakdown is:
  vehicles - $61.1 million
  spare parts -  $6.5 million
  tools and equipment, taxes, currency exchange - $7 million
  contingencies - $11 million in contingencies.
  Each 30 metre long, 30 tonne, vehicle has 56 seats and a standing capacity of 144 passengers. The body is constructed of five sections, in an accordion-like configuration to allow for making sharp turns. It can be driven from either end. The top speed is 88 km/h but the average travel speed is unlikely to exceed 50 km/h.
  The vehicles are numbered with a three digit unit number in the 5xx series beginning with 501. This fleet number is displayed prominently on the end modules of each vehicle followed by a single letter to denote which end module the fleet number is on (e.g. 503A, 507B). The vehicles are being used for testing at the maintenance facility and all 19 km of the completed track.
caption: Ion vehicle at Queen station during testing in August 2018
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