Is it Worth It?

I have received an email from someone who wishes to be called “Guy SC-Arab”. Guy asks, “Last month, you suggested that operators could somehow get around the accessibility regulations by fitting a lift system into the an older, inaccessible double deck, such as an Olympian used on a registered school run. Is this really so, and is this a reasonable proposition?”

Yes, it’s really so. As to whether this is a proposition, read on.

Double decks need to comply with disability and accessibility regulations by 1 January 2017. Single decks and minibuses comply earlier. The dates were set sufficiently into the future to ensure operators tooled up. Around 60 per cent of buses & coaches used on scheduled services (i.e. not tours) are accessible.

The regulations aren’t just about making a vehicle accessible for a wheelchair user, though this is a big part. Whereas fitting a lift mechanism will overcome accessibility issues, an operator will also have to consider other modifications, some of which will be easy and others less so. These include:

• At least one wheelchair space meeting the specific requirements of the regulations i.e. 1,300 x 750mm, rear facing, protected by a vertical stanchion with padded backrest as near as practicable to the entrance point for wheelchair uses.


• Creating a minimum of four priority seats, with a greater seat pitch. This and the wheelchair space means readjusting seating throughout the lower deck.


• Grab rails or stanchions every 1,050mm. These will need to be of a colour that contrast with its surroundings, for people with visual impairments.


• Bell pushes, operable by the palm of the hand.
• A minimum 250mm step height.


• In addition to the front destination display, a full route/destination indicator on the near side and route number at the rear, all illuminated in darkness.

The lift is likely to be the most expensive modification but some of the others won’t come cheap when you compare the sums involved to the value of the vehicle. Few operators will think seriously about this course of action but should they do so, they need to weigh up whether it’s actually worth the time, trouble and expense of making *all* these modifications to extend vehicle’s life by a few years beyond 2017.