Public hearings were held where rail advocates criticized the idea of severing the line, but to no avail.

"The whole thing was for the 'City in the Swamp,"' said Mr. Bowen, the rail advocate.

The administration has proposed deducting the amount of the additional fees from its own grants to the states, raising further ire among some rail advocates.

However, by 1999 delays in the construction of the busway resulted in a renewed grassroots effort of rail advocates to have light rail placed along Independence.

It eliminated smoking on most trains last year, causing a one-time loss of patronage that may actually generate more riders in the long run, rail advocates say.

Among English-speaking high-speed rail advocates, opinion is divided.

Improving the tracks would take billions of dollars, akin to the amounts spent on highways, and rail advocates point out that Congress has not even provided enough money to maintain current service.

Light rail advocates counter that the line will serve as a magnet for growth, developing riders over time as people adjust work and living patterns to the availability of reliable transit.

Anthony Haswell (passenger rail advocate)

But the project has the backing of local officials, businessmen and rail advocates who say the train can help ease automobile congestion.