Government expresses concern over preparedness for PSVAIR on rail replacement and operators question if enough compliant coaches will be available
The ending of exemptions around PSVAR and PSV Accessible Information Regulations (PSVAIR) on 31 July could lead to a shortage of compliant coaches for rail replacement, operators say.
That follows confirmation that the government will not extend PSVAIR exemptions beyond the current deadline. In a letter dated 19 January to train operating companies (TOCs), Minister for Rail Lord Hendy and Minister for Roads and Buses Simon Lightwood admitted progress towards a state of readiness to provide sufficient PSVAIR compliant vehicles was slow.
Coaches on rail replacement services defined as “local” gained temporary exemption when PSVAIR was implemented in October 2024. Although the letter does not refer to PSVAR, no further leniency is expected in that respect either.
The ministers want urgent action from TOCs. “We expect that the industry is ready when [PSVAIR] exemptions end,” the letter reads, noting data indicating that there has not been a sufficient increase in the number of compliant coaches entering the market.
Operator doubts
Heathside Travel Director Tim Southby, whose company stopped rail replacement a few years ago, partly due to rates, says of his response when seeing the letter: “They don’t realise how bad it’s going to get.
“I think they know we’re not ready and are basically saying: ‘Tough luck, you’ve got to be ready.’ This industry will tell them that it’s our money and we’re not investing in something that we’re not going to get a return on.”
Paul Dore, co-owner of Voyage Travel Solutions, says: “They will be short of operators because the money is not there to invest in all this technology.”
They know we’re not ready and are basically saying: ‘Tough luck, you’ve got to be ready’ – Tim Southby
Fellow co-owner Holly Dore adds: “It will push the small- and medium-sized operators out because there aren’t that many of those that are running PSVAR and, if they’ve got it, they’re running it on contracts that are paying to get the investment back. Independents will be driven out and it will be the big groups that suck up the work.”
However, James Fairchild, Managing Director of City Transport, is more optimistic, saying: “I think there will be enough compliant vehicles, but it’s all around whether those commissioning services choose to use them. Having done a lot of rail replacement, I’ve seen an almost old boys’ club mentality where certain non-compliant operators get preferential treatment.”
Trade bodies lobby
Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Operations Director Keith McNally says it is in constant dialogue with the Department for Transport (DfT) on rail replacement.
“In terms of accessible on-board information, while most buses have the appropriate equipment to provide PSVAIR-compliant information, it is not always straightforward to program for non-usual routes,” he says.
“For coaches, it is clear that fewer vehicles have the equipment – that’s entirely understandable because audio-visual information isn’t required for everyday coach services when they’re not on rail duty. CPT is working with DfT and the rail sector to help find solutions.
“In terms of wheelchair user access, CPT believes that further exemptions for rail replacement are unlikely. But the increased accessibility of PSVAR compliant vehicles in the overall fleet should ensure that there are enough accessible coaches for such operations.”
Declan Pang, RHA Policy and Public Affairs Director, adds: “To ensure that measures to improve access are workable, we’re calling for legislative change where a duty is placed on a coach operator to have access to vehicles that meet the specific needs of a person with a disability, rather than requiring all coaches to be accessible, as is being considered.”
He adds a note of caution around the inability to deploy a passenger lift near some stations due to infrastructure. That was echoed by Jay Thornton, Commercial and Engineering Director at Tomorrows Travel, Mr Southby, and Mr Dore.
Rates criticised
Aside from issues of industry progress, operators seem increasingly frustrated regarding the rates offered for rail replacement.
Mr Thornton says that field was “once a strong stabilising element of the business” but adds: “Over time, pricing has largely flattened, while demands on drivers and vehicles have increased. As a result, rail replacement no longer plays the same role in the business as it once did.”
Mr Southby talks of “appalling” rates on offer and adds: “As a company, we don’t have the money to be able to invest in PSVAR because we don’t have the call for it.” Adds Mr Dore: “Rail companies are not paying enough money, so operators are saying we need those PSVAR vehicles for our school contracts.”
Muted response
routeone invited rail replacement service providers Stagecoach Solutions and Transport UK to make a statement but none were forthcoming.
routeone asked the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) how confident it is that services will not be disrupted from 1 August by a lack of compliant vehicles. It was also invited to detail specific action being taken in the lead-up to that date to mitigate any issues.
RDG responds: “We want everyone to be able to travel comfortably and with dignity across the network. The rail industry continues to work with partners to support accessible travel.”
