Competition launches to make rail replacement AIR compliance easier

A competition by DfT and Innovate UK is now open to develop easier ways for operators to provide audible and visible information onboard rail replacement coaches.

The move is intended to drive more compliance with the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 (AIR). The regulation gained parliamentary approval in 2023 and has been introduced on a phased basis from 1 October 2024. Depending on when vehicles were first used on local services, operators will have between one and three years to begin providing audible and visible information onboard their services.

This competition follows the granting of time-limited exemptions (1 October 2024 to 31 July 2026) from the technical requirements of the Accessible Information Regulations, for coaches providing rail replacement services. The exemptions seek to ensure that the current shortage in coaches compliant with AIR does not force the rail sector to rely on older vehicles (which do not yet need to be AIR compliant), and are likely to be less accessible overall.

AIR applies to coach operators and it is those companies the exemptions will apply to. However, the requirements will be set out in Train Operating Company contracts due to the use of coaches as rail replacement services.

Ministers are clear that they expect train and coach operators to work together and take responsibility for making every effort to provide information to passengers within available means. This includes providing information on the service’s destination, stops and any diversion, enabling passengers to travel with confidence.

Despite the partnership with Innovate UK designed to make AIR compliance more accessible, the government says the industry ‘will ultimately need to take up these solutions’.

AIR has a staggered deadline depending on when the vehicles were first used for local services:

• Vehicles first used on or after 1 October 2019 must comply with the Regulations from 1 October 2024 onwards.
• Vehicles first used between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2019 must comply with the Regulations from 1 October 2025 onwards.
• Vehicles first used between 1 January 1973 and 30 September 2014 must comply with these Regulations from 1 October 2026 onwards.
• Vehicles that have a partially compliant status must comply with these Regulations from 1 October 2031 onwards. Information about partially compliant vehicles is here.
• More information on the Accessible Information Regulations is available here.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “Our commitment to improving transport accessibility means everyone needs to play their part, and that means rail replacement services need to comply with the Accessible Information Regulations.

“We’ve partnered with Innovate UK to help find solutions so it’s easier for coaches operating these services to be compliant, ensuring all passengers can travel with confidence.”