INDIANAPOLIS -- Before the city expands its mass transit options, Indianapolis officials traveled to Denver to gain guidance on the process.

Mayor Greg Ballard, members of the Chamber of Commerce and other city business leaders left on Sunday for the Mile High City, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

The group of nearly 60 will examine Denver's mass transit operation, which includes park-and-rides, buses and a light rail system that reaches 31 municipalities in eight counties, officials said.

"Before you put in light rail, before you put in commuter rail, you have to have a bus system that works. That's one of our highest priorities. We want to learn about how Denver did that," said chamber member Roland Dorson.

Last month, the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council voted to study what it would take to bring a diesel light rail system to the northeast corridor, running on upgraded tracks along the existing route used by the Indiana State Fair train.

Some officials said they would need to see more before signing off on the project.

"I'm personally not sure we should do the light rail system," said Mark Miles with the Central Indiana Corporation Partnership. "We want to know more before we come to a point of view about what steps are first and what makes economic sense for our community."

Ballard said he would like a see a combination of options, like buses, bikes and trains to connect the regions.

"I always talk about how when I was in Europe, the transportation systems are complimentary. Here they seem to be competitive. I want to get rid of that," he said.

City officials will also discuss and compare educational models with officials while in Denver.