Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidelines his Department has issued on (a) increasing the number of buses which have room for more than one wheelchair user and (b) other steps to improve disabled access on buses.

The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations have prompted a step-change in the accessibility of bus services, including ensuring that every vehicle incorporates at least one designated wheelchair space.

The Department has not issued guidelines concerning the provision of more than one wheelchair space, and will not comment further on this issue until the Paulley vs First Bus case, currently being heard by the Supreme Court, has concluded.

We are however taking action to improve other aspects of bus service accessibility, including developing best practice guidance on the delivery of disability awareness training in the sector, and introducing an Accessible Information Requirement to provide audible and visible information on upcoming stops on local bus services throughout Great Britain.

We also continue to work with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to ensure that existing accessibility standards are adhered to, and that the high levels of accessibility which disabled bus users have come to expect are maintained.