City Councilman Charles K. Djou's bid to put the city's proposed $3.7 billion elevated rail transit project to a public vote does not seem to have the support on the council to get it on the November ballot.

Interviews yesterday with four other council members indicate he may not have the requisite six votes needed to put a charter resolution amendment on the ballot.

City Councilman Gary H. Okino said the public does not have the access to the information or the expertise that the council does and that "preposterous" information is being spread by Stop Rail Now, a group opposed to the project.

In addition to Okino, council members Todd K. Apo, Rod Tam, and chairwoman Barbara Marshall said they are against Djou's proposal.

City council members Nestor R. Garcia, Romy M. Cachola and Donovan M. Dela Cruz did not return messages seeking comment.

Djou's bid follows a decision by the city clerk that Stop Rail Now did not meet a deadline to place its initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Council member Ann H. Kobayashi said she supports Djou's proposal and echoed his belief that the public should be allowed to vote on the issue.

"The city keeps throwing up all kinds of roadblocks so this may be the only way to get something on the ballot," she said. "It's a huge amount of money, the largest ever for this state and the people should have a vote."

Marshall, who is against the project, said she supports a public vote on the issue but not in a way that uses the city charter.

"Many people now seem to be telling us they want more than a voice, they want a vote and I understand that. I'm sure other council members feel the same way," Marshall said in an e-mail. "This goes beyond whether we should have steel-on-steel and to the heart of the project itself. That said, I'm reluctant to see the charter, which is intended to be a broad document establishing government structure and procedure, used to settle what is ultimately a political decision. It seems to set an unhealthy precedent, at best."

Tam said he is not confident the public knows enough detail about the project to make an informed decision.

"It's an emotional issue, and I know Djou is just trying to find some way to address his opposition toward the fixed guideway system," Tam said.

Djou said, "This issue of rail affects too many people to let politicians or the courts decide. A question on the ballot benefits everyone. It will bring a legitimate, democratic closure to a three-decade-long issue."

The resolution, which will be discussed Wednesday by the council, would have to pass three readings before it could be adopted.

"As I've stated previously, if at least six council members are able to agree on a proposed charter amendment, we would certainly give it serious consideration," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said in an e-mail. "We look forward to discussing this issue, and other ideas on transportation-related charter proposals, with the entire council."

Djou yesterday also announced a proposal to amend a resolution currently being discussed about whether or not to create a public transit authority to include language that would ask voters whether or not they also want a rail system. Djou is against the rail project and believes the public should have a right to vote for or against the project.

"It makes no sense whatsoever to ask voters if they want a transit authority to operate a rail system, but deny voters the option to vote on whether they want the underlying rail system itself," Djou said.

If the resolutions are approved by the City Council, the charter amendments would be on the Nov. 4 ballot.