DDA Rules

[Tony]

Lifted from an article in this weeks Route 1

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that it is actively pursuing operators that are not complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

DDA compliance became mandatory for buses with a maximum gross weight (MGW) of 7,500kg or below and a carrying capacity of 22 or more passengers on 1 January.

Compliance is enforced by the DVSA.

Buses in this category require certification of compliance with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR). Any that do not comply fully with the regulations cannot be certificated, which is necessary if they are to continue to be used on registered services. "If operators are found to be operating buses without the required PSVAR certificate, then the matter could be raised with the Traffic Commissioner," says the DVSA.

Guidance issued by the DfT also states that operators using a vehicle that does not conform to the relevant provision of the Regulations are liable to a fine up to £2,500.

Operators should be aware that the vehicle being low-floor and having a wheelchair ramp does not mean automatic compliance with the regulations, although both are necessary for certification.

Many early low-floor buses were built before PSVAR was agreed, and are not compliant. Issues for these vehicles are the size of the wheelchair space, positioning of handrails, and the lack of side destination displays.

Several other factors are considered, such as contrast between handrails and surrounding surfaces, ramp angle, wheelchair space provision, and provision of destination displays, meaning that vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz Vario are no longer permitted to be used on stage carriage services.

DVSA also enforces certificated buses' compliance. "If buses with PSVAR certificates are found not to be in compliance – defects are listed in the Categorisation of Defects – then a prohibition notice and fixed penalty notice can be issued," adds the DVSA.

routeone is aware of a number of operators still using non-certificated buses with an MGW of below 7,500kg on local service work. The DVSA says the agency is "at the early stages" of three investigations into non-compliance with PSVAR. All single-deck buses used on stage carriage service must comply with PSVAR from 1 January 2016, and all double-deckers by 1 January 2017. Coaches on scheduled routes must be compliant by 1 January 2020. In all categories, vehicles used on 'closed door' contracts are not subject to PSVAR.

[barry619]

'Tis is a sticky situation for those who end up getting caught out by DVSA. Any who claim that they were unaware will undoubtedly find questions being asked re the competence of their TM given that DDA has hardly appeared unannounced. There are a number of operators who are clearly flouting it, and I have no doubt that it will be even worse this time next year when the likes of Solos, Darts and so on become subject to the regulations.

[Tony]

'Tis is a sticky situation for those who end up getting caught out by DVSA. Any who claim that they were unaware will undoubtedly find questions being asked re the competence of their TM given that DDA has hardly appeared unannounced. There are a number of operators who are clearly flouting it, and I have no doubt that it will be even worse this time next year when the likes of Solos, Darts and so on become subject to the regulations.

Solos and small darts are already subject to the rules, they are under the 7500kg weight limit

[barry619]

No, the 7,500kg is MGW. Solos and Darts are above that.

[Tony]

No, the 7,500kg is MGW. Solos and Darts are above that.

A small solo is only the same size & weight at a Vario

[barry619]

Again, it's the MGW, not how much it weighs empty, as clearly stated in the routeone article.. The ULW on the side has absolutely no bearing. The only factor to be considered is the MGW which is on the vehicle plate.

[Tony]

Again, it's the MGW, not how much it weighs empty, as clearly stated in the routeone article.. The ULW on the side has absolutely no bearing. The only factor to be considered is the MGW which is on the vehicle plate.

Agreed but  a Vario with 29 seats + 8 standing has the same MGW as a Solo with 29 seats + 8 standing

[mranon]

this means banga is going to be hit hard as would the ex twm/nx solos they have dda?

[Tony]

this means banga is going to be hit hard as would the ex twm/nx solos they have dda?

I admit solos are very marginal. DVSA regard 30 passengers as 2000kg, so vehicles with an unladen weight of 5500 will be OK, small early solos are around that mark.

[Eric Shaw]

According to Bus and Coach Professional Year Book 2012 the MGW of a Solo is 8t to 11.3t and Enviro200 13.1t whatever the length. This does not seem logical for the Enviro, but I am quoting from the book.