What we have done

Introduced accessibility regulations for buses & coaches

The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) were introduced under Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) and came into force on 30 August 2000. They apply to any new public service vehicle (buses or coaches) brought into service since 31 December 2000 which can carry more than 22 passengers and is used to provide a local or scheduled service.

The regulations are the result of research and consultation and are designed to meet the needs of the widest range of disabled people, including wheelchair users. For example, the PSVAR specify boarding devices such as ramps and a space and suitable safety provisions for wheelchair users to travel in safety and reasonable comfort, as well as other features such as the design and spacing of handholds and features which contrast with adjacent parts of the vehicle to assist visually impaired people.

Before such a vehicle can be brought into service the accessibility features are assessed for compliance with the PSVAR by a Certifying Officer from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). They are responsible for providing a range of licensing, testing and enforcement services with the aim of ensuring compliance of vehicles, operators and drivers with road traffic and accessibility legislation.

PSVAR covers a range of vehicle types and appropriate "end dates" by which time all vehicles of each type must meet the standards in the regulations have been set.

For buses weighing over 7.5 tonnes: Since 31 December 2000 new full size single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double deck buses have been required to be fully accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. All full size single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible from 1 January 2016, and all double deck buses from 1 January 2017.

For buses weighing up to 7.5 tonnes and coaches: Since 31 December 2000 new buses weighing up to 7.5 tonnes and coaches have had improved access for ambulant and sensory impaired passengers, and have had wheelchair access from 2005. All buses weighing up to 7.5 tonnes will be fully accessible from 1 January 2015 and coaches by 1 January 2020.

Section 43 of the DDA 1995, permits the Secretary of State to authorise, by means of a special authorisation order, the use of a regulated public service vehicle which does not comply with accessibility regulations.

The DDA 1995 also allows regulations to be made for smaller vehicles with less than 22 passengers. We are currently considering how best to apply accessibility regulations to such vehicles. In advance of regulations, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee has produced a recommended specification for small buses designed to carry 9 to 22 passengers.

Guidance has been issued to bus and coach manufacturers to assist them in understanding the regulations. The guidance includes the purpose of the requirements and best practice on their application (www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_mobility/documents/page/dft_mobility_503298.hcsp)

Introduced 'conduct regulations' for bus and coach staff

We recognise that making the vehicles physically accessible is only part of making public transport truly accessible. We have therefore also introduced regulations (The Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) (Amendment) Regulations 2002) requiring bus and coach staff to provide reasonable assistance to disabled passengers including, for example, the operation of lifts and ramps, kneeling systems, route and destination displays. These regulations came into effect on 1 October 2002 and, with one exception, the duties apply to all buses and coaches that meet PSVAR. The exception is the removal of restrictions on the number of assistance dogs that can be carried which is now unlimited in any type of bus and coach, irrespective of the vehicle's age.

As with the PSVAR, we have published guidance (http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/buses/pubs/conduct/accesstopublicservicevehicle5990) to assist bus and coach manufacturers and operators in understanding their obligations and outlining best practice. A separate leaflet aimed at bus and coach staff themselves has also been produced (http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/buses/pubs/conduct/conductofdriversinspectorsan5992)

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 provides for disabled people to be given new rights of access to buses and coaches and public transport more generally (more information on the Act's provisions and how they will affect disabled people's access to transport can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/dda2005/).

Use of wheelchairs on buses

The Department for Transport commissioned Ricability to produce a guide, Wheels within Wheels (http://www.ricability.org.uk/reports/report-mobility/wheelswithinwheels/contents.htm), that tells people who need to remain in their wheelchairs what they can expect from new trains, coaches, buses and taxis. It has information on how users can find out where accessible services are running and gives tips on travelling in a wheelchair. It also lists the key dimensions of the wheelchairs available in the UK at the moment, and tell which of them will fit onto public transport.

Research

We undertake a great deal of research and consultation with all stakeholders to understand the needs of the widest possible range of disabled people. More information about our on-going research programme can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_mobility/documents/page/dft_mobility_038498-01.hcsp#TopOfPage.

See also

• Frequently Asked Questions