A new, unique proposal for Oklahoma City means motorists wouldn't have to drive their cars as much. The Modern Transit Project would create an electric railcar system. It would be an inexpensive, and environmentally friendly way for people to get around the metro.

Downtown Oklahoma City is busy with cars, and walkers moving quickly through the area. But a new proposal would build an electric railcar system from downtown, to the state capitol, Bricktown, and the Health Sciences Center to name a few.

Jeff Bezdek, the Campaign Manager for the Modern Transit Project said, "All those districts are just out of walking range, and if we install an electric street car downtown connecting all those distances together would make walking, and abandoning the automobile if you're downtown, a more practical proposition."

Bezdek says it would save residents a lot of money on parking and gas, as well as create cleaner air. In 1947 the last electric railcar went through Oklahoma City, and they hope this will jump on board with MAPS 3.

"The signals, the traffic lights actually turn green for the street car. So it can easily maneuver through traffic very easily," Bezdek explained.

The $100 million project would also include Compressed Natural Gas buses for Metro Transit.

"It creates lesser emissions, but it's also our fuel we own that fuel. It's Oklahoma's fuel, so we'd be putting money back into our economy rather than sending it to Saudi Arabia, and overseas."

The electric railcars was just one of the proposals discussed at the Mayor's Development Roundtable this afternoon, which also highlighted the new Devon Tower and constructing a convention center.

Mayor Mick Cornett said, "Mass transit is simply something that we have not done very well in this city. We have great transit needs. We simply can't go forward without addressing public transit."

If the city council decides to move forward with MAPS 3, the public would vote on it in December. Bezdek says you could see railcars rolling through downtown as soon as 3 years after that.

"When you have a strong core, it makes your city stronger," Bezdek concluded.

Mayor Cornett says they do intend to have a mass transit project in MAPS 3 if it is approved. He says transit would have to be discussed with surrounding communities such as Norman, Edmond, Yukon, and Midwest City, Choctaw, Moore, Mustang, Bethany, and Del City. Other places the electric streetcars could connect to include Deep Duece, the Ford Center, St. Anthony's Hospital, and the Arts District.