Grand River Transit has laid out plans to make some major changes to bus service in 2018. Most routes in southwest Kitchener, northwest Waterloo and the Central Transit Corridor will be changed in some way.

The proposed routes have been released online through a map, and they are supposed to complement the launch of ION light rail transit.

"The launch of ION light rail service in 2018 will mean a whole new transit experience in the Region of Waterloo," reads the announcement. "When light rail service starts, many GRT bus routes will change to connect directly to ION stations. Others will run more directly and more often between important destinations."

John Cicuttin, manager of transit development at the region of Waterloo, told CBC News the proposed new network is "where iXpress lines and local routes would connect with LRT stations, and it's more of a grid-like network."

Some significant changes include the replacement of 200 iXpress with ION LRT between Fairview and Conestoga Mall, and two branches of route 7 will also be replaced by ION.

"Route 7 would remain on King Street, and so the route would get a lot more simplified," he said.

The new routes are set to launch in spring with ION light rail, but members of the public are being invited to give their input on the proposed new Grand River Transit routes online, or go to a public consultation on: