The Department for Transport (DfT) continues to see the future of PSVAR “in a pragmatic light” and reasonable next steps are still hoped for despite ongoing delays to their publication, RHA Operations Manager – Coach Sector Andy Warrender has said.
He adds that with disclosure of the PSVAR review pathway now severely overdue, the position on accessibility for coach operators has advanced little over the past two years regardless of the end to medium-term exemptions (MTEs) scheduled for 31 July 2026.
Under the final stage of the MTE mechanism, which commenced on 1 August, all vehicles that fall under such an exemption for home-to-school and rail replacement services must now be partially compliant as a minimum.
While partial compliance does not require a lift to be fitted, it does involve parts of PSVAR schedule 3 that relate to floors and gangways; seats; steps; and handrails. Previously, there was scope for vehicles that do not satisfy partial compliance to fall within the exemption, but that is no longer the case.
Mr Warrender says that while DfT has “some sympathy” with the industry’s worries, the lack of progress remains highly frustrating. No certainty is causing reluctance to invest in compliance measures despite what has already been a major shift on coach accessibility.
“We are now in the final year of MTEs and as things stand, all in-scope work will fall fully under PSVAR in 2026,” he continues. “DfT understands that this is dragging on, and we hope to hear something this year.”
RHA’s coach chief was talking at a recent meeting of those members. Also addressing PSVAR was Backhouse Jones Legal Director Jonathan Backhouse. He reminds operators that when calculating their fleet’s compliance with MTEs, they should only use the number of vehicles that are needed to service all in-scope duties.
Mr Backhouse also advises rigorous driver training on access equipment. He notes that being in a position where staff cannot competently deploy the lift for a passenger who needs it is likely to be very stressful. Disability awareness training is also imperative.
On whether a DVSA inspector can insist that the driver demonstrates use of lifts on compliant coaches at the roadside, Mr Backhouse says that it depends on whether the journey falls under PSVAR. If it does, they can. Otherwise, they cannot.
