HONOLULU -- Some say that the fixed guide-way system the Honolulu City Council approved for buses or rail would pull into Honolulu at a bad time.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann was out in the community talking to potential users about the system.

Previously the only "rail" experience the city has had was a monorail that connected Uptown and Downtown at the Pearl Ridge Shopping Center, so it was only fitting that the mayor found his way to the mall.

While he was there to ring the bell for charity, shoppers joked they were making donations for the mayor's new train.

"The next step is going to Washington D.C. in January to meet again with federal transit officials and our congressional delegation to make the case for federal funds again," said Hannemann.

The mayor said the sooner Hawaii gets in line the better the chance for more federal help.

Under the transit plan, the city must now focus on determining the minimal "operable" system and get a team to begin the preliminary engineering and environmental impact study.

The vote has put some people on edge, including two dissenters on the city council.

"We've doubled vehicle taxes, doubled real property fees, we've doubled sewer fees, increased water rates, increased garbage, increased park fees, increased building fees -- every tax has gone up and the cost of living isn't going down. Now, all of a sudden, we are going to pay for a $6 million project," said Charles Djou, one of the two council members that voted against the project.

Djou and Barbara Marshall said they worry that the project would take longer to build, cost taxpayers more than they can afford and not attract the rider-ship needed to pay and maintain the system.

Djou said it would be cheaper if the city bought a hybrid car for every resident than to commit to the rail system.

Beginning Jan. 1, residents will begin paying for the rail system. They will also see gas prices raise as the state's ethanol tax credit expires.

The city also expects to raise sewer fees in the spring to pay for the aging sewer system.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has also asked for an increase of 7 percent and Matson Lines plans to raise rates by 3 percent.