Business owners said more public transport options in the city, running into the early morning, would allow people to stay out longer and still get home safely and cheaply.

At this stage, the light rail is planned to run until about 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, at least one hour later than existing ACTION bus services

It will cost ACT taxpayers up to $783 million dollars, with construction planned to begin in 2016 and estimated to be completed by 2019.

Molly co-owner Antony Arena said a light rail running through the centre of Canberra's CBD would add to the vibrancy of the city and Braddon.

He said it would also be a safe way for patrons to get home after a few drinks on Friday or Saturday nights.

"We're proud to be part of a group of business owners who are trying to bring something a little bit different to Canberra and the community is coming along," Mr Arena said.

"So if the government joins the party, which I think they are [with the light rail], it has the opportunity to make Canberra a very cool place to live," he said.

Nick Tuckwell, owner of Treehouse and Kremlin bars, whose businesses will face onto the new light rail, said anything which would draw more people back to the city was welcome.

"Right now if you're in Braddon you're extremely busy and if you're not in Braddon you're not. In the older areas of the city, there have been numbers of people leaving and we do have a bit of void here," he said.

"New Acton's taken off, Braddon's taken off and we've been left a bit deserted. So anything that would bring people back I'm more than supportive of."

Canberra CBD Limited chief executive Jane Easthope said although it was difficult to predict what value Capital Metro would bring to the CBD, any increase in public transport would be beneficial.

"I don't really mind if people ride their bikes - as long as people are encouraged to come and visit and live in an active city centre, that's good for everyone," she said.

Tell us your thoughts. Email: sunday@canberratimes.com.au.