CPT welcomes exemptions for rail replacement coaches

The CPT, which represents bus and coach companies, is welcoming a Department for Transport announcement of exemptions to Accessible Information Regulations (AIR) for coaches used on rail replacement services.

The first key date for the implementation of these regulations is 1 October 2024, but the exemption means rail replacement coaches won’t need the same audio-visual information as local bus services.

Keith McNally, Operations Director for CPT, said:

“CPT welcomes this DfT announcement. It follows months of discussion where we provided data and information to show there is scant economic justification for coaches commonly used for rail replacement services to be fitted with the kind of specialist display equipment now rightly being installed to provide ‘accessible’(audio visual) information on local bus services.

“Our data showed the case for investing in such equipment on these vehicles is weak, so it is great to hear that some practical exemptions will allow audio and visual announcements to be made in alternative ways on coaches used to replace rail services until the summer of 2026.  We hope this will give time to consider the practical and economic challenges, develop appropriate solutions where appropriate, and decide the longer-term position.”

The regulations say that a local service is “one where separate fares are paid, either directly or indirectly for the right to be carried on a service, and where a passenger is able to alight within 15 miles of where they boarded.” Rail replacement services which do not meet the definition of a local service are fully exempt from the AIR.

The DfT is stressing that the legal requirements to provide key route, direction and next stop announcements at the prescribed times must still be adhered to. Operators have also been told that audio or verbal announcement information should be mirrored in visual format.