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The Department for Transport yesterday published the draft Accessible Information Regulations for the Bus Service Act 2017.
- Onboard travel announcements to become mandatory across Britain’s bus network
- Industry supported through £4.65m fund for small operators to upgrade vehicles
- Roads and Accessibility Minister Richard Holden: “Massive boost for passenger independence”
Visual and audible onboard announcements will be required by law on buses and local coaches by October 2026. In making the announcement, the government committed £4.65 million in funding for small operators to make the necessary upgrades, which RTIG will be responsible for managing.
The Department for Transport outlined rules its says will boost public transport accessibility for everyone, particularly disabled users.
DfT says “almost every local bus or coach service” will have to provide audible announcements and visual displays identifying the route and direction, each upcoming stop, and the beginning of any diversions.
The funding will made available to the “smallest bus and coach companies” and the changes will be implemented gradually.
DfT says only 30% of buses outside London provide this information.
Roads and Accessibility Minister Richard Holden says: “Everyone deserves to take the bus with confidence, and this is a massive boost for passenger independence. Simple and effective audible and visible information should be a baked-in feature of a modern bus service to help people reach their destination, wherever they travel in Great Britain.”
The aids will make the announcements available via induction loop systems. All new vehicles introduced after October 2024 must also include visible information which can be seen by a wheelchair user when travelling in a rearward facing wheelchair space.
The response to the consultation on the regulations has been published:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information/outcome/bus-services-act-2017-accessible-information-consultation-outcome
the draft regulations which have been laid before parliament:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2023/9780348246872/contents