The SPT is the only statutory body required to provide services but not have revenue-raising powers.

An SPT spokesman

Earlier this month SPT announced that one Glasgow Underground station would be shutting in the evenings and on Sundays in order to save money.

Malcolm Reed, the SPT director general, has recommended the authority asks ministers to give it the financial powers as part of a Local Government Bill to be published in the spring.

The proposal would see people in the west of Scotland pay a transport charge, along with their council tax and water charge.

Transport chiefs said the proposals would not mean an overall rise in taxes because local authorities would reduce their council tax bills by the same amount.

Revenue-raising powers

But the SPT wants the power to make the charge direct because every year it has to ask councils for more money.

The SPT currently has a budget of �218m and �31m of that is direct contributions from councils.

An SPT spokesman said: "The SPT is the only statutory body required to provide services but not have revenue-raising powers.

"The difficulty is councils are facing competition from other areas of their budget and prioritise accordingly.

"If councils say budgets cannot meet demands for more resources then the SPT has to make do.

SPT is responsible for ScotRail's services

"This plan would make SPT accountable for its own budget,"

However, Gary Gray, of Glasgow's Citywide Tenants' Forum, said: "We would be strongly opposed to this charge - surely there is some other way of funding public transport in Strathclyde?"

Tom Hart, of the Scottish Association of Public Transport, added: "We would prefer revenue being raised through road user charges, which would have the dual effect of reducing pollution on roads."

Janet McIntosh, who lives on Tiree, on the edge of the SPT area, said: "This island has one ferry service to Oban a day and one bus service. Everyone here would be against the plan."

Alastair Watson, Glasgow City Council's land services convener, said he was in favour of the move.

He said: "If we are to make a real difference in public transport then it has to be funded properly."

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "All responses to the consultation will be considered if they fall within the remit of the bill."