However, the union also expressed concern that a proposal to relax criteria on 'community transport' provision might have a negative impact by encouraging operators and authorities to withdraw from unprofitable but essential lifeline bus routes.

The proposals form part of the draft bill to improve public transport and tackle congestion, published today by the government.

"Giving local authorities a bigger role in shaping bus provision and greater control over timetables and fares are welcome steps towards returning the bus industry to proper public control," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"The creation of new PTAs would allow for greater strategic control over bus and rail provision.

"And it is simple common sense, not least for the environment, to ensure that money raised through road-pricing is invested in improving public transport.

"This bill could also be used to help address the problems of low pay, long hours and poor working conditions that have blighted the industry since privatisation and created a long-term recruitment problem.

"Our own recent survey of bus workers found that only a quarter of felt secure in their job, that younger bus workers are becoming a rarity and that two-thirds said that the main reason workers left the industry was because of poor pay and conditions.

"The only people to benefit from deregulation and privatisation have been the privateers, whose main role is to drain public money from the industry.

"If we are to ensure that buses play their full role in encouraging people out of cars, that drain must ultimately be blocked, Bob Crow said.