Promising to move transit users faster and easier, Winnipeg’s bus rapid transit was built during terms by the city's former mayor and council. The next part of the plan will see it extend from Jubilee to the University of Manitoba.

But the new mayor and councillors have to find a way to pay for the city's share of the $590 million project.

"(We are) kind of behind the eight ball because a lot of us behind BRT process want to know how we're going to fund it," said River Heights Coun. John Orlikow, who also sits on the mayor’s executive policy committee.

He said raising taxes or transit fares even further are options.

But if the plan is to go ahead with BRT, Orlikow said the money will have to be accounted for in the 2015 budget to make a $20 million annual payment by 2020.

But says he can't guarantee anything at this point.

"I'm not sure where this lies. That's why it was irresponsible for us not to have done this before. Now it’s up to new council to decide - no guarantees in the end," said Orlikow.

Orlikow says the rest of EPC will be discussing rapid transit at the next few budget meeting before it's taken to council for discussion.

Mayor Brian Bowman could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.