PUTTING bus passengers rather than private companies in charge of services will be at the heart of a Labour transport policy review.

Maria Eagle, the Garston and Halewood MP and the party’s transport spokeswoman, will pledge to tackle the situation where routes are suddenly axed by bus firms under the deregulated system.

That problem is set to worsen due to looming cuts to the fuel subsidy handed to operators and savage cuts to council transport funding, threatening the subsidies which keep many services running.

In some areas, scores of routes will be scrapped or reduced, although Merseyside is expected to be less hard hit than rural areas.

Last night, Miss Eagle admitted Labour had got it wrong on buses while in Government, taking far too long to draw up plans to allow councils to take on London-style powers to set routes and fares.

Those powers only came into force in 2009, thwarting Merseytravel’s hopes of ending deregulation.

Merseytravel reluctantly decided not to adopt the powers, because the process would take two years and the Conservatives had vowed to deregulate again if they won the general election.

Miss Eagle told the Daily Post: “On bus deregulation, I think it is fair to say we were too slow in acting. It is something I am very keen for this review to look at.