Every local transport authority in England must publish its first Bus Network Accessibility Plan by 1 April 2027. The plan has to assess how well the whole bus journey works for disabled people, rate each part of the network from 0 to 5, and commit to dated improvements. DfT published its guidance on 28 August 2026, which leaves authorities about six months to co-design, assess and publish. This briefing note sets out what the duty asks for and what it means in practice.
Passenger information runs through the whole assessment, and DfT's guidance names RTIG's own inclusive passenger information guidance as a benchmark: information that falls short of it is given as an example of "inadequate" support. The note explains how the ratings work, what to record as the baseline and what to commit to at each stage of the journey, from journey planning and at-stop displays to on-bus announcements and disruption. It also covers Auracast, hearing loops, and why meeting the Accessible Information Regulations is the floor rather than the ceiling.
The note covers the legal duty, co-design and consultation, publication requirements, and how the Bus NAP fits with the Accessible Information Regulations, Better Connected, the section 25 information reforms, floating bus stop guidance, Enhanced Partnerships and franchising. It sets out what to expect for authorities, operators and suppliers, the key dates to 2030, and five things to do now.
Download it from the RTIG library
https://rtig.org.uk/documents/rtigt069-1