The current scope of how PSVAR applies to the coach sector “results in enormous costs being incurred for very little benefit,” the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has said in its response to the government’s call for evidence on a review of the Regulations.
CPT is one of various industry stakeholder groups and operators to have responded to the call, which closed on 4 September. They now wait to hear if there will be any government recommendations or changes to PSVAR. Its response is due before the end of the year.
CPT Operations Director Keith McNally has described the review as a “once in a lifetime opportunity… to reflect upon our ongoing commitment to providing accessible journeys for all.”
Mr McNally has highlighted an event held on 1 August that included Under-Secretary of State for Transport Richard Holden and Department for Transport Head of Local Transport Accessibility Policy Robert Johnson as an example of the work done in preparation of CPT’s response, along with consultation with its Coach Commission and Bus Commission.
In its submission, CPT has underlined a position that all closed door home-to-school and works services should be mandated to comply with PSVAR when (but only when) a requirement exists for them to do so.
Adoption would extend such a requirement to those services where no separate fares are charged and which are thus presently exempt from PSVAR. However, it would represent a relaxation of the current situation for closed door home-to-school and work services where separate fares are collected. On those routes, notwithstanding current medium-term exemptions, PSVAR compliance is required across the board.
To illustrate a lack of real-world need for accessibility on home-to-school services, CPT says that among 13 local authorities (LAs) that provided it with data, 2,377 PSVs are procured for that requirement and only three regularly carry a wheelchair user. Those LAs arrange for 1,528 wheelchair users to be conveyed by taxis and other vehicles, however.
CPT has also highlighted the disconnect between current compliance requirements and poor roadside infrastructure that often means lifts cannot be deployed. That applies to “the majority” of stops serviced by home-to-school transport, the Confederation believes.
“As a sector, we are committed to delivering accessible and affordable travel for all passengers,” adds Mr McNally. “We continue to call on the government to ensure that the rules are as simple as possible.
“Where a regular service is open to the general public, every vehicle should comply with the Regulations, while if it is open to a specific group of passengers, then they should have a right to travel on an accessible vehicle if required.
“As the government now reviews submissions, CPT will continue to work with it to ensure a pragmatic long-term solution to help all operators, no matter how big or small, to comply.”
