Traffic Commissioner takes a clear stance on inaccessible buses and coaches

You already know that as independent regulators, traffic commissioners come across a huge range of compliance issues within the industry. Even still, cases continue to bring up topics that we don’t see as often and that highlight the importance of compliant operations.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, accessibility regulations were introduced for public service vehicles; all PSVs on regular services must be accessible.

Being compliant with accessibility regulations is all part of the promise you make to keep vehicles fit and serviceable. However, shockingly, during a recent public inquiry held by Mr Rooney, a company director admitted he would rather operate a non-complaint vehicle than not operate at all.

Using a bus, which was not accessible to everyone, showed clear discrimination against those passengers with mobility issues, whether that was the intent or not. This is exactly why the Disability Discrimination Act exacts.

The company also failed to meet the financial standing requirement of the licence and had a number of “entirely unacceptable” vehicle defects.

Mr Rooney, regulator for the West of England said the company had “clearly discriminated between those who can climb stairs and those who cannot”, before confirming that the licence was revoked.

More information on accessibility requirements here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-coach-accessibility-faq