§ 27. Mr. Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he will take to ensure reasonable access for the disabled to public bus services. [671]
§ Mr. NorrisWe have taken powers in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to enable us to make regulations to require new buses and coaches to be accessible to disabled people, including those who use wheelchairs. Similar provisions have also been included for taxis and rail vehicles.
Discussions are already under way with the bus and coach industry—manufacturers and operators—on the shape of the regulations which will be introduced as soon as we have determined appropriate technical solutions which are effective and sustainable.