One of Scotland's wealthiest businessmen has criticised Labour's plans to allow local authorities to take public ownership of privately owned bus companies as "nationalisation via the backdoor", comparing the move to the policies of Vladimir Putin.

The UK Government's plans would only apply in England, however, the proposals speak to several Scottish initiatives all designed to bring buses and public transport back under public control.

The Better Buses for Strathclyde campaign and organisations including Get Glasgow Moving, the STUC, Friends of the Earth Scotland, and the Poverty Alliance have put forward several proposals, among them franchising models based on those used in London and Manchester and providing a greater say in the setting of fares and routes.

Writing today in the Telegraph, Sandy Easdale, who alongside his brother James owns McGill's bus company, said that plans to do so would lead to unsustainable demands from both passengers and staff employed by the companies.

Mr Easdale also claimed that local councils in Scotland, which already failing to cope with the demands of dramatically reduced budgets, would be unable to provide a reliable and viable service.

Seven Scottish councils have this year declared housing emergencies amid 'heightened pressures' and an unprecedented increase in homeless applications. 

"I’ve built a business over 25 years and they want to snatch it away like Putin and offer it to the highest bid," Mr Easdale told the Telegraph.

“Local authorities struggle to fill in potholes and collect bins at the moment so I don’t see how they expect to be able to run bus services."

In 2021-22 in Scotland, more than half (£329 million, 55%) of bus operator revenue came from local or central government subsidies. Of this sum £223m came from Scottish Government coffers.

Despite those subsidies, the First Bus operator was broadly criticised for axing vital late-night services in Glasgow. Following public outcry a compromise was found, with McGills also stepping in to run additional late buses. 

“I can promise you that if a route makes money or is marginal but adds to the wider network then we’ll operate it," said Mr Easdale. "We don’t cut routes unless they’re vastly loss-making.

“But with the council in charge, everyone will want a bus to their door. This will grow arms and legs and they’ll be loaded up with subsidies. Where’s the value for anyone in that?

“Buses are not at all like the trains. We get hardly any state support but we’re far more popular with the public. Our approval ratings are unheard of.”

Looking across the UK and to other models of public ownership, focusing in particular on Manchester and the city's mayor, Andy Burnham, Mr Easdale added: “Andy Burnham is keen for everyone to follow him. But they spent millions and millions and there is no better service. And he certainly knows nothing about Glasgow.

“Governments, whether national, Scottish or local, cannot run businesses. The drivers will want to be paid like civil servants and have the same pension schemes. And who will peg the hole? It has to be the government. So the taxpayer will suffer.”

In response, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, said: "Buses are the lifeblood of our communities, but for too many people it has become impossible to rely on local services, as routes have been slashed and timetables hollowed out.  

"Today is the first stop on our journey to delivering better buses across the country. After decades of failed deregulation, local leaders will finally have the powers to provide services that deliver for passengers.

"And we are taking steps to support local leaders to deliver improved bus services faster and cheaper than ever before.

"With local communities firmly back in the driving seat, our bus revolution will save vital routes up and down the country and put passengers first."