200 iXpress, parts of route 7 to be cut in 2018, with GRT bus realignment for ION

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.

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 iXpresswith ION LRT between Fairviewand Conestoga Mall, and two branches of route 7 will also be replaced byION.

"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 onthe proposed new Grand River Transit routes online, or go to a publicconsultation on:

• Wednesday, Sept.13,12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Waterloo Public Square,75 King St. S., Waterloo.
• Monday, Sept.18, 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Country Hills Community Library,1500 Block Line Rd., Kitchener.
• Thursday,Sept.21, 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Conestoga Mall,Door 4 by Winners,550 King St. N., Waterloo.
• Wednesday, Sept.27, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Wilfrid Laurier UniversityFred Nichols Campus Centre, Concourse75 University Ave W., Waterloo.
• Tuesday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Region of Waterloo Administrative Headquarters,Main Lobby, 150 Frederick St., Kitchener.
• Monday, Oct.16, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  University of Waterloo, William G Davis Computer Research Centre, DC 1301,200 University Ave. W., Waterloo.
• Wednesday, Oct.18,10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (drop in anytime)
  Conestoga College Doon (Kitchener) Campus,299 Doon Valley Dr., Kitchener,Main building - Lower Atrium Student Life Centre.