PSVAR review – inclusivity of journeys is key, RHA to tell Government

The RHA has welcomed the Government’s announcement calling for the industry’s views on coach passenger accessibility regulations.

Department for Transport has launched a Review of the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR).

Coach operators continue to support efforts to make passenger journeys inclusive, but there are widespread concerns that the underlying rationale driving the PSVAR review is flawed.

Firms have long argued that the regulations overlook the roadside infrastructure improvements needed to make coach and bus travel fully accessible. Instead, the regulations are focused on vehicle design which fails to take into account other factors needed to make the journey inclusive.

A lack of physical infrastructure at non-scheduled pick up spots like rural roads or remote locations means that coach travel can’t always be fully inclusive even when operators lay on accessible vehicles.

We therefore strongly advocate that the emphasis is shifted from the vehicle to the customer and their journey.

We’re calling for regulations to be changed so that operators have a legal responsibility to offer appropriately accessible vehicles when they are needed, rather than it being mandated that all coaches are 100 percent accessible.

Have your say

We will be consulting with our members and representing their views in the call for evidence in due course.

We encourage coach operators to respond to the call for evidence which is open until 4 September.