At this point in Honolulu's mass transit decision-making process, much of the heavy lifting has been done. Months and millions have been spent on a comprehensive study exploring the various mass transit options — including the status quo. The mayor thinks rail is the way to go, as the study shows. And so do most of the City Council members, it seems.

So the council should be down to a fairly simple decision: If we go for it, which item on the rail menu looks best? Given that most of the homework's been done for them, they ought to be able to make that choice by the end of the year.

So it's mystifying why they should need yet another option: postponing the tax collection for another six months or more. Councilman Charles Djou has proposed this as an escape hatch. It's very possible the council won't decide by the end of the year, Djou said, and the public shouldn't be taxed until the city settles on the type of transit system and the basic route it will follow.

Yes. We all agree that the decision should come before the tax. But that's why the tax was put off a whole year already, right?

The key transit decision now before the council is: Is it rail and where will it go?

And it would be much more productive if the council could focus on clearing the way for developing a sensible transit system — one in which various transportation modes would mesh to would serve the island's needs.

Any multi-modal combination of rail, bus, ferry and other options sensibly means extending any potential rail line where it would have the most benefit— from Kapolei to Manoa. If a spur to Waikiki is found impractical, shuttles should connect to hotels from the nearest rail stop. Access to Waikiki is key.

A truncated rail system is not only short-sighted, but would only lead to heavier congestion at the end points, where commuters would have to retrieve their car and head back on the roads and highways. And any decision to extend it after the fact will wind up costing far more.

Allowing rail to connect people from where they live to primary destinations — including the airport and the University of Hawai'i — would make reliable public transit more practical for those who can better manage West O'ahu housing prices, but need to travel to jobs in the urban core. Remember: Nobody expects gas prices to go down over the long term.

Taxing authority should begin in January, as scheduled, so that financing has a firm foundation. This will position the city strategically toward the front of the pack of local governments seeking federal dollars for transit systems.

Then the city can continue formal planning — topped by the Environmental Impact Statement process that again will draw in all stakeholders before any of the serious spending begins.

And given that this would be by far the most expensive public works project in the city's history, full transparency, accountability and public review are essential. Any review must take into account the social and broader benefits, including job creation and the potential to better manage transit-oriented development in a way that makes sense for individual communities.

The workforce's largest employers, including the city and state, also can use the years of lead time to innovatively alter O'ahu traveling habits, curbing peak-time highway use through flexible scheduling, telecommuting and job redistribution. Urging full transit use for its workforce is also key. Congestion is going to continue its steady increase, and it's up to all of us to anticipate this and deal with it.

There's a great deal of work to do, and time is fleeting. There's no need for any more foot-dragging on the transit decision. The studies have been done on enough alternatives. Putting off the funding mechanism and the decision is likely to sour Honolulu's chances at federal dollars.

If Djou or any member of the council wants to oppose rail, they should do that in straightforward fashion: Vote against it at the end of the year.

The voters elect their leaders to make the call, not do this endless dance. Just make it, already.