CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Metropolitan Transit Commission, MTC, voted to continue funding a multimillion dollar study to bring rail service to the Lake Norman Area.

This vote comes after Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla wanted to end the study because he believes the money could be used for more immediate transportation improvements in North Mecklenburg. 

“It’s just such a waste of money and if you live in North Mecklenburg, then you know the only line that viable is the current line. So just be negotiating with Norfolk Southern every day, what is it going to take to get on this line,” said Mayor Aneralla.

Initially, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) planned to build the red line which would connect Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson to Uptown Charlotte along the railroad tracks controlled by Norfolk Southern. However, the train company said it won’t share the tracks for a passenger train

CATS CEO John Lewis said they'll continue negotiating with Norfolk Southern to use its tracks for the red line but it’s not a guarantee.

"What is ‘Plan B’ and that's what this study is looking for, to give this board a ‘Plan B’ that they can pull off the shelf if they ever need it,” said Lewis.

Lewis said they'll finish the study this fall and put together a list of options for MTC to consider.