Written by: Amy Lacey
When the ION Light Rail Transit launched in 2019, I know it faced a lot of skepticism. Many people, like myself, who have lived in the KW area their whole lives had gotten used to relying on a car which included battling traffic on Bridgeport or circling side streets endlessly trying to find free parking. I didn’t expect that this development could change the way I moved through the region so drastically. Now, as a graduate student at the University of Waterloo with limited funds and gas prices rising, I use the LRT almost every single day. Whether I am heading to class, to meet friends uptown, or run errands downtown, I can rely on it. No more paying for expensive campus parking passes, no more sitting in traffic, and no more feeling stuck. What surprised me most was that I started to feel more connected to the Region, both literally and figuratively. With my feet on the ground and the opportunity to bike or walk to and from LRT stations, I’ve become more present in the neighbourhoods and communities I move through, noticing small businesses, murals, artworks, and greenspaces I had never seen through a windshield.
Figure 1. Example of artwork installations located at various stops along the LRT Route. (Image credits)
Transformative Change #1: By 2050, most trips are taken using active transportation, with the support of a robust public transit system
The LRT is more than a train – it’s part of a broader vision with a cleaner, more connected future. It supports TransformWR’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Transportation is the largest source of emissions in the Region, so reducing car dependency is crucial.
Every LRT trip replaces a potential car trip with a zero-emissions alternative, but it’s not just about carbon. It’s about affordability, accessibility, and quality of life. Taking the train means saving money on gas, skipping traffic jams, and arriving reliably on time. It also means investing in a city where it’s possible to live, work, study, and socialize without owning a vehicle.
While the LRT’s fixed route currently only runs through parts of Waterloo and Kitchener, it’s a backbone that connects to other transit options such as Grand River Transit buses, GO Trains, Neuron e-scooters and e-bikes and safe cycling and walking paths. Even if you don’t live right on the route, the LRT still helps shape a better transit system by supporting higher ridership and making future expansions possible.
Figure 2. The LRT arriving at Waterloo Public Square Station. The overhead cover installed at all LRT stops protects passengers rain or shine!
Building a Better Region, One Ride at a Time
Critics of the LRT often ask if the cost and construction were worth it. But maybe that’s the wrong question. Instead we should ask: What kind of city do we want to build?
The LRT helps answer that question. It fosters walkable, transit-oriented, vibrant and sustainable communities and neighborhoods while also reducing congestion and road maintenance costs. In 2024, Grand River Transit authorities reported 25.73 million boardings. This is a clear sign that people are choosing public transit, and choosing to move differently.
We still have work to do, not every neighbourhood is well served yet and transit improvements must continue, especially to ensure accessibility and equity. But we are moving in the right direction.
Key Takeaway
Public transit won’t solve every problem overnight, but it’s a powerful tool for building a region that works better for everyone. For me, it’s made life simpler, more affordable, and more grounded. And for the Waterloo Region, it’s part of a cleaner, smarter, and more connected future.
So the next time you see the ION glide past, consider this: every ride is a small act of climate action and a step towards the kind of city we all want to live in.
