Mayor Sam Katz's push to bring light-rail transit to Winnipeg got approval from a majority of city councillors on Wednesday.

Council voted 10 - 4 in favour of moving towards light rail instead of bus rapid transit. The next step is to try to get the province to commit funds for light-rail transit, rather than bus transit, to finish the second phase of the southwest rapid transit network to the University of Manitoba.

The federal government has indicated it simply wants the project finished but has yet to confirm any funding.

A handful of councillors and rapid transit activists argued the switch to light rail could kill rapid transit altogether.

"Two years ago, the mayor promised a bus-way from downtown all the way to the University of Manitoba. Then, he changed his mind and thought maybe trains…tomorrow he might wake up and say he wants nuclear-powered rickshaws or a cable-car from the top of the Richardson Building, but it's all a fantasy," said Thomas Novak with the Winnipeg Rapid Transit Coalition.

Wednesday's vote by council means light-rail transit will be seriously considered when building any new rapid transit routes over the next 25 years.

During a marathon meeting on Wednesday, council also approved a number of non-transit items, including approving a plan to redevelop downtown Portage Avenue using tax incentives.

The first focus will be on turning the area around the MTS Centre into a sports and entertainment district.