Section 40 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) covers ‘public transport vehicles’, which it defines as:

• buses
• coaches
• trains
• trams
• taxis

This part of the Act enables the Government to make regulations to require that all new public transport vehicles are accessible. Public transport facilities – such as bus stops and shelters – are covered by Part 3 of the Act (access to goods, facilities, and services). More information on this is available in the ‘Legislation’ section.

Buses and coaches

Through the DDA, the Government can make regulations relating to access to buses and coaches. These help to ensure that disabled people can get on and off buses and coaches, and that they are able to travel in safety and reasonable comfort. For example, the introduction of the ‘low floor’ bus has made travelling by bus easier for many disabled people.

Several years ago, the Disabled Person’s Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) conducted research into the barriers that disabled and older people – as well as people with young children – face when using public buses. Using the results of the research, they devised specifications on the use of colour contrast, handrails, priority seats and step dimensions that all bus operators should now be seeking to include in their design of their vehicles. Visit DPTAC's website to view guidance on this.

The implementation of the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations is a phased process to allow time for the changeover in vehicle fleets. For example, the following vehicles must be fully wheelchair accessible by the following deadlines:

• large single decker buses by 2015
• double decker buses by 2017
• large coaches by 2020

Since 1 January 2000, all new buses and coaches have had to incorporate DTPAC features in their design.

Residents of England and who are either disabled or aged over 60 are now entitled to free travel on local buses anywhere in England and Wales. In England, this is sometimes limited to off-peak times. Visit the DirectGov website for further details.

Trains and trams

The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations became statutory legislation on 1 November 1998. These regulations ensure that all new rail vehicles (the carriages) are accessible to wheelchair users and that other disabled people can use trains with greater ease and confidence.

Specifications and design details are covered by the Regulations for the following elements:

• steps
• floors
• priority seating
• interior surfaces
• handrails
• passenger information (audible and visual announcements)
• door widths
• lifts
• ramps
• accessible WCs

Train stations, however, are covered by Part 3 of the DDA. One particularly important feature at stations is tactile paving, which is used to warn visually impaired people of the location of the platform edge. A different profile is used from the one used at pedestrian crossings, but it still involves a series of ‘blisters’. More information on the design of tactile paving is available in the Department for Transport’s publication Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces.

Trams, a traditional form of public transport, are now being reintroduced in many towns and cities, and also fall under the regulations.

Disabled people can pay reduced fares by obtaining a Disabled Person’s Railcard. Contact National Rail Enquiries or visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website for an application form.

Taxis

Taxis are defined as ‘public transport’ under the DDA. The Taxi Accessibility Regulations cover the construction of new taxis with the aim of making them accessible to all disabled people, including wheelchair users. These regulations exist to ensure that a disabled passenger is able to:

• get in and out of the vehicle
• travel in the vehicle while remaining seated in a wheelchair
• transfer to a vehicle seat from a wheelchair where necessary

Other features of these new ‘accessible taxis’ include handrails to aid entry and exit to and from the taxi, and ramps into the vehicle.

The Regulations firstly applied to new vehicles on 1 January 2002. By 1 January 2012, the Regulations shall apply to all taxis. Local authorities are required to licence taxis, and can remove or suspend licences if discriminatory behaviour occurs. They also offer training for taxi drivers – for example, on disability equality.