Scania UK is a further supplier to offer a PSV Accessible Information Regulations (PSVAIR) package for coach products. It has debuted on a Touring demonstrator, where it sits alongside compliance with the separate PSV Accessibility Regulations.
The PSVAIR package uses equipment and expertise from Elite Vehicle Supplies and Hanover. It includes an additional ‘letterbox’ shaped display above the front bulkhead-mounted monitor and an induction loop.
Retail Sales Manager Lee Wale says that as well as the Touring, the accessible information equipment can be fitted to Irizar-bodied coaches. Scania has adopted the same equipment across both product lines for commonality purposes and its arrival follows many customer enquiries, he says.
Rail replacement is driving demand, Mr Wale continues. Earlier this year, Buses and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood and Transport Minister Lord Hendy wrote to train operating companies to tell them that no further exemptions from PSVAIR for coaches on that work where it applies will be offered beyond 31 July.
In addition to installing the equipment to new coaches, Scania can facilitate retrofit of existing models to PSVAIR via Elite and Hanover.
The Touring demonstrator that complies with the accessible information regulations is a 13.7m example with 59 seats. It was present at the UK Coach Rally in Blackpool over the weekend of 18 and 19 April and will begin an evaluation programme with operators soon.
Scania UK will also show a PSVAIR-compliant coach at Euro Bus Expo in November. At least two PSVAIR-compliant coaches from other marques were among rally entrants.
Mr Wale adds that with end of current PSVAIR exemptions for coaches on in-scope rail replacement little over three months away, building future vehicles that comply with both PSVAR and the accessible information regulations “is a natural step.”
The dealership has 70 Touring coaches on order, with the first to arrive in late 2026 for delivery in Q1 2027. All of those will comply with each set of legislation.
