Details were released Wednesday at the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor News reported that

The Ann Arbor Connector could cost $500 million to $700 million and would run through downtown Ann Arbor, the university’s central and north campuses and the school’s medical center.

University planner Sue Gott said in a statement that the system would provide “better transit access to downtown, important U-M destinations and job centers, reducing dependence on adding more parking in core areas.”

The costs would be paid through federal and state dollars, university funding and other sources.

The project is in the early planning stage. Public meetings are scheduled for March 24.

If constructed, the light rail would have its own dedicated lane. The service also is estimated to be 43 percent faster than standard buses and would increase rider capacity by about 52 percent, officials said.

The connector also could be fully powered by renewable energy.

“As our community and its needs grow, the public transportation services that help connect people with jobs, school, appointments, shopping, and family and friends have also grown,” said Matt Carpenter, chief executive of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority.