Clay Chastain is now on board with a regional light-rail election in November.

Chastain is pushing for a $2.72 billion plan that would include light rail, commuter rail, hybrid buses and streetcar lines.

"This is an environmentally sound, quiet and clean transit system that would have mass appeal," Chastain said Wednesday. "Light rail has proven to be an instant success."

The 30-mile light-rail spine would run from Bannister Mall through downtown to Kansas City International Airport. Commuter rail would connect Blue Springs, Independence and Lee's Summit to Union Station. The Truman Sports Complex would get a commuter rail stop on the line connecting Lee's Summit with downtown.

The East Side would get streetcars; Independence, the Northland and Liberty would see service from low-emission buses. A new Missouri River bridge would serve light rail, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Chastain hopes to finance his plan with a 25-year half-cent sales tax in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties, combined with federal funds, state money and other funds.

Chastain successfully got Kansas City voters to approve a line from the airport to the zoo in November 2006. Saying it was unfeasible, the City Council in November repealed it. A judge recently ruled the city acted legally, but Chastain hopes to get an appeals court to overturn the decision.