Plans to impose tough new rules on bus companies operating in Glasgow have won the backing of a top motoring expert.

The Evening Times yesterday revealed that by April next year, 90% of all bus journeys into Glasgow will have to be on low-emission vehicles with easy access low floors.

By the following year, the council is insisting 100% of buses must meet the new standards.

Those operators which fail to sign up to the new rules will not be allowed to pick up passengers in the city.

Council roads boss Robert Booth warned that up to 700 of the city's 2621 buses could fail the test.

The aim is to improve bus service, reduce congestion and cut pollution.

Council roads bosses decided to act following the Evening Times Get Glasgow Moving campaign.

Today, Kevin Delaney, head of road safety at the IAM motoring trust, threw his weight firmly behind the council plan.

He said: "I think this is an extremely good idea. It is high time local authorities took a closer interest in the quality of public transport."

Mr Delaney is based in London where bus companies have to bid to run routes and are inspected on wide range of criteria, including frequency and punctuality of services and vehicle quality.

There, motorists have to pay a city centre congestion charge which has seen many choosing to switch to public transport.

And Mr Delaney believes Glasgow will have to consider some kind of similar scheme if it wants to cut congestion.

He said: "At some time, all local authorities will have to look at how they regulate getting into and out of city centres by car.

"Every UK authority will have to look at ways to bring home to people who want to drive into the city that there is a cost.

"As a result, we would give what is happening in Glasgow our wholehearted support because the public are going to get a better service.

"There will be buses which are accessible to more people, not just disabled people but also people who are getting older and find some of the steps onto buses difficult.

"In the short-term, this is a win, win situation. Glasgow wants to improve public transport in the hope people use their cars less and that is a good thing."

City centre councillor Gordon Matheson also welcomed the decision to clampdown on fume-belching buses.

He said: "I strongly believe the city council is right to crackdown on polluting buses.

"Buses offer a vital service but too many sub-standard operators clog-up our streets during the lucrative rush hours but fail to provide a service in the evenings.

"It is also about time the Scottish Government did something about this problem by re-regulating bus services. We cannot leave this issue to the free market."

Mr Matheson, who represents the Anderston/City ward, also welcomed the council's insistence on low floor vehicles.

He said: "I have been lobbying for some time to increase the number of low-floor buses.

"These are much easier for all of us to get on and off and are especially needed by the elderly or disabled and parents with prams.

"I have had many complaints from elderly constituents who say that even if a bus turns up they cannot always get on it because the step is too high.

"The bus operators have had plenty of notice that these changes are coming. The decent companies will be able to meet the new standards. Those who cannot are frankly no longer welcome in our city centre."

However, smaller bus operators have warned the moves will put them out of business. NEIL SCOTT, 33, retail manager, Scotstounhill I think it's unfair to ask smaller companies to shell out money or lose their licence. This only benefits the big companies. ISABEL MASHEDER, 60, office worker, City Centre I think it's fair because the environment is far more important. DAVID WILSON, 79, retired, Ayr I'm not at all certain that this is the answer. ALAN McEWAN, 39, insurance broker, Bearsden There's got to be limits on environmental action, especially if it hurts small businesses. RICKY MAGGS, 57, security officer, City Centre It's all right for the companies who can afford to make the changes, but not if the smaller ones are going to suffer. SHEENA ROLLO, 53, shop worker, West End If it's going to mean easier access for prams, and the elderly or infirm, then I'm all for it. It's not fair on the smaller companies though. JOE MacDERMOT, 76, retired, Simshill Obviously, the smaller companies are going to be put out of business and that's not good for them or their customers. MARY MacDERMOT, 72, retired, Simshill It might not even make a difference to the environment. I say keep the buses, ban the cars!