The Department for Transport (DfT) has accepted legal recommendations aimed at ensuring that wheelchair users can access bus services.
The new measures, which will involve changes to the PSV Conduct Regulations 1990, to enable drivers to remove passengers who “unreasonably refuse to move when requested from the wheelchair space.”
It will also look at how to raise awareness of passengers’ expected behaviour, and changing guidance.
It comes after a High Court case brought by wheelchair rights activist Doug Paulley, who was unable to use a wheelchair space when a mother refused to move a buggy because her baby was sleeping.
The DfT says it will now carry out further consultation to understand the specific experiences of a range of stakeholders including wheelchair users, parents travelling with young children, and bus drivers. It expects to bring forward a package of measures later this year.
However, in a new development, Mr Paulley has accused National Express of being in breach of PSVAR, by requiring wheelchair users to give 24-hours notice of travel. He bought a ticket to travel from Bradford to Leeds, on a service leaving within half-an-hour, but was told he could not travel, as it would take too long to remove the seating.
He then also reported the coach driver to the police, claiming that he was committing a disability hate crime. Mr Paulley says that initially West Yorkshire Police refused to treat the incident as a crime, but after lodging a complaint, it changed its mind, but is not taking any action against the driver.
National Express has apologised to Mr Paulley and “offered to meet him to discuss the matters he raised.”
