TRANSPORT union RMT threatened strike action today over a government bailout of Transport for London (TfL) imposed at the cost of the biggest fare hikes since 2016, restrictions on free travel and likely cuts.

The union warned the Department for Transport (DfT) against “imposing austerity cuts and direct control over transport in London.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced the £1.6 billion bailout, consisting of a £1.1bn grant and a £505 million loan, on Thursday.