KITCHENER - Ion service will have a "shotgun start" on Friday at noon.

That's when the public can hop on board trains stopped at stations along the route between Kitchener and Waterloo.

A grand ceremony is planned for 10:30 a.m. at the Fairway station in Kitchener.

"It's going to be your traditional ribbon cutting," said Waterloo Region Coun. Tom Galloway.

There will be speeches by local, provincial and federal politicians, Bombardier and GrandLinq, and a video.

The first four trains to depart the Kitchener station will be filled with local councillors and members of parliament, senior regional and transit staff, representatives of local groups and, of course, the three winners of the "golden ride" contest.

"These four trains are just going to the Mill Street station and back," Galloway said. "Then at 12 o'clock, there's a shotgun start to the whole system."

The other six Ion trains will be spread out along the route, and open their doors to the first passengers from the public at noon.

Galloway suggests people board at stations other than Fairway or wait until the evening or weekend to take a ride because there likely will be a big crowd gathered for the ceremony.

A limited number of people will be allowed on at the station to ensure the trains are not at the "crush capacity" of 200 at every stop.

Everyone will have to disembark at the Conestoga station for the first few hours of service, and there will be bus shuttles to take them back to Fairway. There will be help along the way for those who have questions about the new light rail system and how it connects to bus service.

"There's going to be staff on every platform along the route," Galloway said.

To celebrate the start of Ion service, the entire public transit system - both bus and train - is free to ride from June 21 to Canada Day.

jweidner@therecord.com

Twitter: @WeidnerRecord

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