THE RMT rail union has told the government to take “immediate steps” to bring Stagecoach into public ownership after the company was barred yesterday from bidding for rail franchises.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling telling him that the system of franchise bidding has become a fiasco.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has barred the company, which also has a 49 per cent share in Virgin Rail, from bidding on three new rail franchises due to be renewed.