§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he has taken to increase the number of buses which have disabled access ramps: and if he will make a statement on disabled access on all forms of public transport. [18679]
§ Ms KeebleAccessibility regulations for new trains, buses and coaches have been introduced under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Part III of the Act requires public transport infrastructure to be accessible to disabled people. From 2004 this will include the removal of physical barriers to access.
Since 31 December 2000, regulations have required all new single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes and double deck buses on scheduled services to be accessible, including fitting boarding devices (ramps and lifts).
We are requiring all single deck buses over 7.5 tonnes to be fully accessible from 1 January 2016, and all double deck buses from 1 January 2017.