MILWAUKEE - They meandered their way through Milwaukee decades ago and now some want to bring back streetcars to the city, including Mayor Tom Barrett.

"There's not a major metropolitan community in the country that is growing that doesn't have rail in their transit arsenal," said Barrett.

Making a pitch at an economic development summit Friday morning, Barrett talked about his proposal for a streetcar system that would be a little more than two miles, stopping at places like the city's train station, Midwest Airlines Center, and on the east side.

The city would pay most of it with $54.5 million of federal transit money. It's cash that was set aside 18 years ago. The city never was able to use, until city officials negotiated with Congress earlier this year to release the money.

"We're really playing catch up," said Barrett.

If all goes to plan, the commuter rail would not be operational for about five years.

The half a dozen people TODAY'S TMJ4-HD talked with downtown seemed to like the idea, especially those who find it too difficult to drive downtown or find a consistent bus route.

"Some days there's no parking anywhere. There's limit on the times, you have to move your car and you get tickets that are 15 to 30 bucks a piece," said Josh Kanter-Kowl.

But the question remains, the city may have money to build it, but does it have enough to maintain it.

"Part of it will be fare boxes and then there are some federal and state aid that we could rely on," said Barrett.

For more information on the mayor's plan, click on http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/transit.