Ward 12 Councillor Harold Usher says he cast his vote for the more expensive hybrid transit option to advance the process to the next step - not to indicate his support.

"I feel sort of tricked into this right now because I voted to go ahead with this but I am not saying it was a unanimous vote to go hybrid."

Now though Usher worries the decision has steered council on a permanent course toward wasting half-a-billion dollars.

Two weeks ago council unanimously made a hybrid system of buses and trains its "preliminary preferred option," but new questions may derail support for the train component.

The city's own numbers show a full bus rapid transit (BRT) system would not only be cheaper to build but also provide more benefits for every taxpayer dollar spent.

At a capital cost of $880 million, the hybrid option would include a light rail system running from Masonville to Fanshawe College and with buses from White Oaks Mall to the Wonderland Road and Oxford Street intersection.

But for $497 million - 44 per cent less - Usher supports a full bus rapid transit system with no light rail yet.

"I say creep before we walk, put in the bus rapid transit first, and then as we get more population along the route, then we put the [Light Rail Transit]."

While staff recommended the more expensive hybrid system, a closer look suggests the choice isn't that clear.

A cost-benefit ratio prepared by staff looks at the value of the transportation, social and environmental benefits created per dollar spent.

The higher the number, the better the return for each tax dollar invested.

A hybrid system is forecast to generate five cents in benefits, while a full bus rapid transit system generates 16 cents for every taxpayer dollar.

John Braam, city engineer, says,"By the numbers alone it would appear that the benefits would be exceeded by the BRT over the hybrid option, but in this case we're recommending hybrid because it does have other, less measurable, impacts."

Less tangible impacts are listed as city building - improving the city image and prompting new development.

City council will choose its preferred design when the issue is back in front of them early in 2016.

Londoners will have their chance to weigh in on the hybrid option at public information meetings. More information can be found at: shiftlondon.ca