Buses and Coaches

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The Government is committed to an accessible public transport system in which disabled people have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society.

The powers in Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995) allow regulations to be made requiring all new land-based public transport vehicles - trains, buses, coaches and taxis - to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users. Regulations covering buses and coaches, the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR), have been made and cover all new buses and coaches introduced into service since 31 December 2000 which can carry more than 22 passengers and are used to provide a local or scheduled service.

On these pages you will be able to find further information about the PSVAR including advice and guidance for bus and coach operators and their staff on the application of the regulations together with information for disabled people.

More information on what we are doing to make other forms of public transport accessible to disabled people can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/access.

Publications and other resources

Accessibility of buses and coaches - publications.

Summary table of special authorisations (83 kb)

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