"In terms of looks, it's not going to look that differently. That's why they call it a modern streetcar. It has a sleek look to it. It's a modern day light rail system," Hayes said.

Pat Gentry, a Mesa native, has ridden the light rail from Mesa to Phoenix and thinks it will be a positive addition to Tucson. He often uses it to go to and from Diamondback games and art festivals in Tempe. He thinks that a shorter route is better suited for Tucson's central area.

Maddie Haight, a University of Arizona Retailing and Consumer Sciences junior, said she is excited for the modern streetcar and looks forward to using it at night when going out. She says it will save money on cab fare and provide people with an alternative to driving drunk.

The RTA intends to pair the streetcar with the SunTran bus system to develop a "Smart Card," or a reusable bus pass that can be used on either transportation system.

The light rail will likely run from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and the fare will mirror the SunTran's $3 day pass fee.

The system will have seven streetcars that will stop every 10 minutes at the 18 stops planned along the route during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening, according to RTA's Web site. Hayes said he expects the project to be completed by the end of 2011.

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