Dozens of visitors, including many families checked out the almost ready-for-action Trim LRT station Saturday.
And by all appearances, they liked what they saw.
“When (Trim) opens, it’s going to be a gamechanger,” said Kim LeBrun, 46. She says she is one of OC Transpo’s “top fans”.
Trim Line is part of the Line 1 East Extension and is one of five stations being added after Blair Station. It’s the final stop after a series of stations including Montréal, Jeanne d’Arc, Convent Glen, and Place d’Orléans.
The extension adds more than 12.5 kilometres of train tracks to connect to communities including Orléans, Blackburn Hamlet, and Beacon Hill.
The neighbourhood around Trim is relatively new development with not much happening around it. It has a covered pedestarian bridge connecting riders to the trains above Highway 174.
To get to Trim Station, there are over a thousand Park and Ride spaces, two bus routes and several bike racks and pathways.
While specific dates have not been determined, the new East extension is anticipated to be open in late 2025.
LeBrun, who has been a transit rider for nearly 32 years, said she’s been waiting a while for the station to open to make her commute even faster.
“I am going to enjoy it when it opens up,” LeBrun said.
While the station is still under construction, visitors were allowed to get a tour of a future transit line and learn from train operators about their control systems. Outside of the station, OC Transpo employees set up games for a chance to win “goodies”.
Spencer Wang-Marceau, nine, is a young train enthusiast and said his favourite part about the train were the sounds of the train and looking at the control room.
“I can’t wait for it to go from Tunney’s Pasture to Trim,” Spencer said. His father, David Marceau, said Spencer was most excited about meeting OC Owl, OC Transpo’s mascot.
Admittedly, Spencer said it’s been hard to adjust to OC Transpo’s New Way to Bus program, which he says has cut a crucial route for him on his way to school.
“I wish they kept the old bus routes, like the 93 Hurdman,” he said. “It was always in a minute and I wouldn’t have to wait 27 minutes.”
David said they were looking forward to the train opening because of its proximity to Petrie Island Beach.
“We enjoy the view, it’s a beautiful view,” David said. “We’d be able to come here faster to go to the island and go swimming or fishing.” Conveniently, Spencer already had his fishing rod tucked in his backpack.
Théo Cantin-Nantel, heading into Algonquin College next year, said he remembers being a train enthusiast as a child and wanted to check out the new station.
“I’ve always loved trains since I was a kid and I’ve always loved train infrastructures,” he said.
When Trim opens up to the public, Cantin-Nantel said it would make his commute downtown much easier, especially during traffic congestion or rush hour.
“It’s better, it’s electric, it’s convenient,” he said. “Let’s hope it opens soon.”
