HONOLULU -- The Honolulu City Council on Thursday night advanced a bill that makes way for a proposed rail transit system.

Council members voted 7-2 after listening to about nine hours of testimony from more than 100 people.

The bill calls for a transit system with five possible routes.

There is division on what route will be chosen. Some favor a route from Kapolei to downtown Honolulu. University of Hawaii students are pushing for a 28-mile route from Kapolei to the university. That is expected to cost an additional $1 billion.

The final council vote will be on Dec. 21.