WATERLOO REGION — Ion's allure remains strong.

The trains have been packed with passengers from morning to night all through the first week of light rail service.

"It seems to be right throughout the entire day," said TJ Flynn, Ion community relations manager for Waterloo Region. "That's been fantastic to see."

Final ridership numbers have not yet been tallied for the first week, but it's expected those will surpass the turnout for opening weekend when more than 73,000 passengers boarded. That first weekend of service had limited hours over the three days, while this week was the first real service test including the revamped bus routes for a better connected transit system that launched Monday.

Just doubling the number of opening weekend would exceed the population of Waterloo. Yet even with moving that "phenomenal" number of people in a just week, things have gone smoothly overall, Flynn said.

There have been some minor hiccups, such as a medical emergency at the Fairway station on Wednesday that halted service temporarily, overactive air conditioning, and glitches with overhead communications and apps.

Trains have also been stopping longer at stations while the crowds get on and off. People aren't yet accustomed to moving toward the centre of the train to keep the doors clear.

"That's just a learning curve," said Brendon Simon, Ion senior project manager.

There's also some uncertainty about the nuts and bolts of riding Ion, like how to open the doors by pressing the button, bus transfers or what to do in the loops where the tracks separate and stop at different stations.

Canada Day will likely prove to be another test for the fledgling system, as a huge crowd gathers at Columbia Lake in Waterloo for the free fireworks show and then heads home at the same time.

Security will be at the University and Research and Technology stations to help move people on and off the trains, but people should prepare for a wait.

Simon suggested that people consider using buses as all Grand River Transit services are free until Monday.

Regional staff are inviting the public to continue providing feedback on Ion service through the region's website, call centre, on Twitter or Facebook.

"Everyone has a new perspective on things so that really helps," Simon said.

Flynn said Ion is "just a great coming together of the community" with people aboard the trains talking to each other and checking out new eating and shopping places along the route between Kitchener and Waterloo.

That social aspect is what Regional Coun. Tom Galloway has been seeing too, on his multiple rides every day since the launch. Because the ride is smooth, people don't mind standing and then talking with the stranger next to them.

"People will chat with each other," he said.

Light rail trains have brought a new cool factor to public transit in the region.

"It seems like transit in general has been uplifted," Galloway said. "We'll see next week, of course."

jweidner@therecord.com

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