A bill to increase the state excise tax in Honolulu to help pay for a rail transit line passed its first hurdle at the Legislature yesterday, but lawmakers said the measure still faces an uphill fight.

Despite opposition from the Department of Transportation, Chamber of Commerce and others, the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee passed SB 2052, which would raise the excise tax from 4 percent to 4.5 percent in Honolulu only.