Kitchener-Waterloo

First ION LRT vehicle open house set for April 8

Residents will get the chance to tour the first ION LRT train during an open house at the Region of Waterloo’s Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility on April 8.

Get inside, even take a seat, on the first LRT vehicle during the open house

The Region of Waterloo's first light rail vehicle parked on the tracks at the ION operations facility in Waterloo. Residents will get the chance to check it out during an open house in April. (Jackie Sharkey/CBC)

If you're curious to see what the first ION LRT vehicle looks like, you'll get your chance to get a good look and even sit on it during an open house next month.

The open house on April 8 will take place inside the Region of Waterloo's operations, maintenance and storage facility on 518 Dutton Dr. in Waterloo from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

"Now that we finally have the vehicle here, it makes light rail service more tangible," councillor Tom Galloway, chair of the region's planning and works committee, said in a statement.

"Residents will have an opportunity to see the vehicle up close and sit onboard one of the vehicles that will provide service in 2018."

Staff from ION, Bombardier and Grandlinq will also be at the open house to answer questions.

Bombardier and Grandlinq staff will perform a wide range of tests on the LRT vehicle before testing it on the track.

Testing on the track is expected to begin in the spring from the ION stop on Northfield Drive to the Caroline Street and Erb Street intersection.

Residents will have another chance to check out the LRT vehicle in September.