News roundup: March 16, 2026

By Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Here’s the latest in walking, biking, and transit news for Waterloo Region for the last two weeks. Subscribe to get updates delivered directly to your inbox! You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

What's happening

• GALT CORE: Cambridge is continuing consultation on its Galt Core Heritage Conservation District proposal (EngageWR)
  • Open house today - March 16, 6:00 p.m. - Bowman Room, Cambridge City Hall
  • Survey open until Thursday, March 19 
• FEDERAL FUNDING: $500 million in federal active transportation infrastructure funding is at risk. For information and a template to contact your MP, see Vélo Canada Bikes. 
• HEADLIGHTS: A House of Commons petition seeks to update vehicle regulations to reduce LED headlight glare.
• MY IDEAL CITY: The City of Kitchener invites students between 10 and 12 to write a short essay on what their ideal city would look like, by March 27. Contest winners will be invited to a reception at City Hall and a mock debate. (City of Kitchener)

Walking, biking, and streets

• Neuron Mobility will be relaunching their seasonal e-scooter and e-bike program in April 2026. Ridership was down in 2025 due to lower student enrollment. (Region of Waterloo agenda)
• The Region is updating its policies around road uploading/downloading between itself and the lower-tier municipalities, to enable more flexibility in criteria and so any roads are transferred in good condition. (Region of Waterloo agenda)
• The Record: At 99, the father of the Kitchener-Waterloo expressway still has lots to say
• The Record: ‘Plowy McPlowface,’ and ‘Lederplowsen:’ Kitchener names 7 new snowplows

Transit

• Cambridge Today: The Region of Waterloo is working towards a July 1 launch of a pilot program that will allow anyone 65 or older to ride the GRT bus, ION or MobilityPlus for free, one day a week
• This year, GRT will be providing 2-fare payment cards to community agencies at a discounted rate of $3, until the $25K program budget runs out. (Region of Waterloo agenda) 
• Cambridge Today: Parents frustrated with inconsistency of Cambridge school buses
• Global News: Metrolinx sheds 400-plus consultants as agency grapples with growing mandate
• The Trillium: GO trains in ‘poor’ condition; assets could ‘begin to fail’ this year: leaked document. Metrolinx still trying to replace expertise lost after ending Deutsche Bahn contract, according to internal fleet strategy draft
• Toronto Star: GO train near Oakville was seconds away from ‘worst-case’ derailment, internal Metrolinx report shows
• London Free Press: Opinion | Ontario's Southwest forgotten in transportation upgrades
• Trains Magazine: Audit of VIA Rail Canada calls for service improvements
• PinkyThumb (YouTube): FIRST TIME IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO! (ION LRT)
• Rail Documenter (YouTube): Cambridge and the GO Train

The shape of our cities

• Kitchener’s draft Dundee Secondary Plan for Kitchener’s southwest expansion is now available for comment. (EngageWR)
• CityNews Kitchener: ‘A critical piece’: Region mulls phased approach to Charles Street Terminal site
• Cambridge Today: Council orders independent review of what led to Region's water crisis
• The Region of Waterloo’s new CAO is Darshpreet Bhatti, who was the longtime project lead for the implementation of ION stage 1. (Region of Waterloo)
• The Narwhal: Ontario’s $20-million plan to merge 36 conservation authorities into nine
• CTV: Plan to merge conservation authorities draws concern along Grand River watershed
• Wilmot Township is looking at growth plans for area between Baden and New Hamburg, planning for the bulk to be single detached houses. (Wilmot Township agenda)

Elsewhere

• Daily Hive: TransLink's new regular-sized trolley buses will have an extra third door
• Global News: Brampton considers embedding LED lights in roads to increase safety
• The Gordie Howe International Bridge will have a toll-free multi-use path (Gordie Howe International Bridge)
• Romaro Williams (YouTube): The [Finch West] LRT is Exactly What We Needed
• Oh The Urbanity! (YouTube): Why Free Transit Is A Bad Idea (In Most Cities)