Conservative mayoral candidate Steve Norris has attempted to boost his reputation as a friend of the motorist by announcing plans to cut back on London's buses.

The former Tory transport minister pledge on Monday to scrap underused bus lanes and reduce the number of empty vehicles if he wins next year's election in the Capital.

He also outlined changes he would introduce to traffic light sequences which would give less time for pedestrians and more for cars.

Norris, who has already promised to scrap Ken Livingstone's congestion charge, took a further political gamble by angering the public transport and environmental lobbies.

But he will hope to appeal to London's millions of frustrated motorists by standing firmly on their side.

Livingstone has increased public subsidies for buses in the Capital by £400 million since he became mayor in 2000.

The policy has produced an extra 1.3 million passenger bus journeys every day but Norris believes empty services in off-peak hours are holding up traffic unnecessarily.

"The number of empty buses in the off-peak period is one of the most frustrating things for other road users," he told the Times newspaper.

"We will take hundreds of those buses out of central London. The service may be less frequent but it will improve traffic flow."

He will also have angered campaigners for the disabled by pledging to stick with the hop-on, hop-off Routemaster buses which cannot carry wheelchairs.

"I acknowledge Routemasters are deficient in terms of disabled access, but they have advantages in terms of speed, their iconic status and the pleasure they give to people," he said.

Speaking at the launch of his Moving London report at Brixton Underground Station, Norris promised to deliver a "21st century tube and bus service for London".

"I will use my own direct transport experience to get the best possible service for the three million people who use the underground every day," he said.

"Instead of wasting time in pointless battles over the part privatisation scheme, I will make it work for Londoners with more frequent and reliable trains, run for the passenger.

"Too many people do not like using public transport at night because they are fearful of being mugged or robbed.

"The solution lies in working with boroughs, local authorities and the police to provide clean, well lit areas on tube and bus platforms, entrances and surrounding areas as well as using staff to patrol the stations to provide a vital presence and reassurance to passengers."