Details of next steps for PSVAR as part of a review of that legislation will be revealed by the Department for Transport (DfT) “soon,” Minister for Roads and Buses Simon Lightwood told the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Coach Conference on 27 November.
Mr Lightwood addressed the gathering via video link. While not putting a date on when the long-awaited next steps will be published, he acknowledged that many members of the coach industry “have rightly called for clarity” on the future direction of PSVAR.
“After carefully reviewing all the research and evidence, my department will be able to confirm its decision soon,” the minister says. The previous government had originally planned to release the next steps for PSVAR before the end of 2023, but that date has repeatedly been pushed back.
Medium-term exemptions (MTEs) from the regulations for rail replacement and in-scope home-to-school services are due to expire on 31 July 2026, with trade bodies understood to have been pushing hard for clarity on what happens beyond then.
Data released by DfT in 2022 showed that 17,969 vehicles are in scope of MTEs. During summer 2025, a survey to coach operators requesting information on in-scope home-to-school services was circulated, giving rise to speculation that an extension to the MTE regime for that work is being considered.
While Mr Lightwood’s conference address struck an understanding tone on the next steps, he underlined a government commitment to expanding compliance with PSVAR in the coach sector and with the PSV Accessible Information Regulations on rail replacement.
“It goes without saying that everyone should be able to make the journeys [that are] important in their lives and that disabled children in particular should be able to travel with dignity and confidence,” the minister told delegates.
“Disabled children should have the choice to travel to school on services that meet their needs, and passengers should have the information they need to know where they are when using rail replacement services.” Operators holding MTEs are expected “to be making meaningful progress towards compliance,” Mr Lightwood adds.
In response to the minister’s remarks, CPT Chief Executive Graham Vidler notes how the trade body continues to lack clarity on matters relating to PSVAR next steps and others relevant to coach, including the roadmap to decarbonisation.
On decarbonisation, Mr Lightwood told delegates that DfT “will continue to work with [operators] on that journey” and monitor technology and market developments. Use of bus depot charging facilities by battery-electric coaches was referenced by the minister as something to be encouraged.
Mr Vidler adds that in February, he wrote to Mr Lightwood with a four-point list of items that would help to take the coach industry forward. CPT continues to push officials on those. Mr Lightwood will be an in-person keynote speaker at the Confederation’s annual conference in London on 29 January 2026.
Further coverage of the CPT Coach Conference from routeone will follow online and in print.
