Honolulu City Council members today deferred action on measures that would change the route of a planned commuter rail to serve the Honolulu International Airport. The council's Transportation and Public Works Committee doesn't plan to hear the measures until Jan. 8 at the earliest.

Committee Chair Nestor Garcia said the delay will allow residents more time to voice their opinions on whether the route should be diverted from Salt Lake. The change would add about $220 million to the project's $4.28 billion price tag.

The city plans to start work on the rail line in late 2009. Limited service between West Loch and Waipahu would start in late 2013, and full service to Ala Moana would begin by the end of 2018.