§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with bus manufacturers on the development of buses to provide improved facilities for(a) elderly and (b) disabled people. [77274]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonManufacturers have been closely involved throughout the process of developing standards for accessible buses. Meetings have taken place with a cross section of representatives of industry and with individual bus manufacturers on both technical and operational matters. An informal consultation on regulations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to require improved access to buses and coaches took place in 1998, and a formal consultation on the draft regulations is planned for this year.
The regulations will progressively require a lower first step height, provision for wheelchair users and other passengers with a wide range of disabilities, starting in January 2000. End dates are also being proposed for all regulated buses and coaches to ensure that over a reasonable timescale they all become fully accessible.