Ministers confirm that 31 July end date is final while calling for more work to ensure compliance
The exemption from AIR for coaches used on in-scope rail replacement was created in recognition of supply chain constraints and time requirements for retrofit to achieve compliance.
AIR requires audio-visual information for passengers on in-scope rail replacement services. Delivering that on coach has proved a difficult hurdle, and Lord Hendy and Mr Lightwood note in their letter how they are concerned that available data on AIR does not indicate that compliance will be reached by 31 July.
No extension beyond 31 July to exemptions from the PSV Accessible Information Regulations (AIR) for coaches on in-scope rail replacement work will be offered and compliance beyond that date will be mandatory, ministers have told senior figures in the rail and coach sectors.
Minister of State for Rail Lord Hendy and Minister for Roads and Buses Simon Lightwood wrote to those parties on 19 January. The letter has been sent to Managing Directors of train operating companies (TOCs) and is copied to coach industry trade body representatives.
“These exemptions have now been in place for 15 months and will end on 31 July 2026, seven months from now, [and] we have no intention to provide further exemptions,” the two ministers state.
Nevertheless, “we expect that the industry is ready when exemptions end,” the ministers add
Although acknowledging that TOCs do not directly control provision of rail replacement vehicles, the letter concludes that those bodies “are also not passive participants” in the market and “should be looking to utilise commercial, procurement and planning levers wherever possible.”
Despite Lord Hendy and Mr Lightwood’s direct language on exemptions, their letter does not mention the PSV Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR). Medium-term exemptions there – including for rail replacement – are due to expire on the same date as those from the PSV Accessible Information Regulations, but next steps for PSVAR remain awaited.
https://www.route-one.net/news/psv-accessible-information-regulations-july-exemptions-end-fixed/