Just when they appeared to have crashed, Winnipeg's rapid transit hopes are back on the rails with a proposal for high-tech buses and downtown trains.

A circuit of dedicated roadways, articulated buses and a downtown light-rail route are about to be pitched for a "made-in-Winnipeg" rapid-transit system that could begin taking shape as soon as next year.

A task force created by Mayor Sam Katz is proposing the system -- to cost $90 million for the first of three phases -- in a set of reports and drawings to be displayed today and Monday at Winnipeg Convention Centre.

"This will allow us to increase ridership, reduce travel times and allow for a more reliable service," said Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona), head of the task force.

Similar in several ways to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system proposed last year by then-mayor Glen Murray, the new plan suggests creating bus corridors on existing streets that would be used exclusively by the longer coaches — each of which would cost up to $900,000.

The lanes would be painted red to distinguish them from public lanes.

Meanwhile, transit vehicles would be given their own routes through congested districts such as "Confusion Corner" and a stretch of Nairn and Regent avenues. These special busways would be built in Phase 1 at a cost of $49 million.

The existing transit system would largely remain in place to feed the expanded setup, with today's buses used during the transition.

Pending approval by council and funding help from the province and Ottawa, the first phase would see bus corridors laid out on Portage Avenue, Henderson Highway, Pembina Highway and other major arteries.

Wyatt denied the plan is similar to Murray's BRT concept.

"The big difference is that this is citywide. And the old proposal was to cost $500 million for the entire city," he argued. "This goes citywide for less than $100 million. It creates a rapid system going to all major quadrants for a fraction of the cost."

The second and third phases would add to the series of busways and corridors, costing $70 million and $152 million receptively.

An LRT, with a cost pegged at $70 million, would make a loop through downtown within 10 to 20 years under Phase 3.

After public feedback, the task force will put together a final report to be tabled this summer.