INDIANAPOLIS -- It's been in the slow lane for years, but a rapid transit plan for central Indiana got a real jumpstart Friday with the unanimous approval of a plan that could cost up to $200 million.

The starter plan would establish a 19-mile commuter rail line between Noblesville and downtown Indianapolis that could be running by 2012, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The Indiana Regional Transportation Council has been examining rapid transit alternatives for nearly 20 years, but economic need and hunger for travel alternatives is the current impetus for action.

The diesel-powered commuter line would run along an old Nickel Plate railroad between the northern suburb and Union Station. The Indiana State Fair train uses that line in the summer.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization manager Mike Dearing said the vote is just one of several hurdles before the rail line becomes a reality.

There's still no funding for the project. An environmental study must also be conducted and locations found for five to six stations.

"It doesn't mean we can't revisit some decision about the route or technology later on," said Phillip Roth, assistant manager of MPO. "It's a significant milestone in the federal process for getting the funding at a later date."

Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear said a light-rail system of travel is long needed in central Indiana.

"We're in favor of it. The demand, I think, is there. It's an economic opportunity," Ditslear said.

The group focused on the northeast corridor first because it thinks that area has the highest economic and usage potential. The positive response to IndyGo's express route from Fishers and Carmel to downtown Indianapolis was used to underscore the need.

Planners said this would be the first leg of a future regional transit system that could eventually have as many as seven routes out of the city in all directions.

"I'm looking at the economic development potential for the entire region," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "I think for the next step, this is a good one."

The study could wrap up by early 2010. Funding would come from local, state and federal tax dollars.