DETROIT (WWJ) – Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing are set to meet with federal transportation leaders on a possible light-rail system in Detroit.

WWJ City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas reports that the meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood took place in Bing’s office Monday afternoon.

“I’m encouraged; I mean … it’s an important component,” Snyder said. “I really want to give my shout out to the private sector people pulling it together. I mean that’s the kind of initiative that I love to see from the private sector partnering with the public sector.”

It’s expected that LaHood will announce federal dollars for the project, which would run from downtown Detroit to the New Center Area.

“It could possibly boost the economy around this area, I see it as a positive all the way around,” said Johnny Fulmore as he hung around the Compuware area Monday morning.

“With the gas prices being what they are, I think it would be really good for the city,” one woman said.

Another bystander wondered if it would just become a second version of the People Mover – occasionally empty cars on a circular or straight-line route.