Mark your calendars! LRT officially launches June 21, region says

Transit users in Kitchener-Waterloowill finally be able to ride the LRT as of June 21.

Regional council made the announcement during itsmeeting Wednesday night.

Applause echoed through the regional chamberafter a short video revealed the official launch date.

"There were times I thought this day may not come," said Tom Galloway, a regional councillor and the chair of the planning and works committee.

"It's very, very humbling to me being able to make the announcement of the launch of theION LRT."

In November 2018, regional staff said they aimed to have theLRTup and running by spring 2019 after several delaysdue to issues withBombardier's production and transport of the vehicles.

Galloway said regional staff will be able to meet their spring 2019 deadline as the LRTlaunchesthe morning of the last day of spring.

Anopening ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on June 21 at the ION FairwayStation.

Following the official launch, the region will allowfor 11 days of free transit service for the LRT, Mobility Plus, ION busesand Grand River Transit buses.

The ceremony will also highlight the ION bus connection from Fairway to the Ainslieterminal in Cambridge as the first step to implement light rail in Cambridge.

Council decided to implement the LRTin two stages across Waterloo region in 2011, six years after extensive research and public consultation on the project.

Galloway said the region has so farsecured over $3 billion of residential and business development along the LRTcorridor.