On 1 August 2026, the transport industry will see the Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 (PSVAIR) implemented across rail replacement vehicles.
This will make it mandatory for local bus and coach services to provide accessible information for all passengers, including those who are disabled.
According to the government, the intention is to break down access barriers and deliver an improved journey experience by ensuring “all passengers have access to high-quality and accurate on-board information on bus and coach services”.
Rail replacement vehicles had been exempt from the regulation, but that ends on 31 July 2026. That means that service providers will have to act to stay compliant.
Why the PSVAIR was introduced
Disabled passengers can find it challenging to complete their journeys with a lack of clear information about their vehicle’s location. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association found that 70% of visually impaired passengers they surveyed had missed their bus or coach stop because the driver forgot to tell them to get off.
Meanwhile, an independent survey conducted for our rail accessibility white paper found that 66% of disabled passengers reported a deteriorating experience in the past year and that 24% would cancel or postpone a journey if disruption is expected.
Just 2.8% of 145 disabled rail users surveyed reported that rail replacement services were fully accessible.
Accessibility provision is also inconsistent across the country.
In 2025, 98.6% of buses in London were equipped with audio-visual information for passengers. But in other English metropolitan areas, that was just 48.9% and 43.4% in non-metropolitan areas. Across Scotland, it was 37.8% and 51.9% in Wales.
The PSVAIR is intended to ensure that disabled people and other passengers around the country can access the information they need.
Options for operators
For rail replacement operators, the cost of PSVAIR systems may seem prohibitive. But there are options to keep expenditure down.
Operators can invest in removable systems that can be integrated into existing audio loops. That means they can use existing hardware and they don’t have to be a permanent solution.
Including the system in pre-journey vehicle checks will ensure it’s not forgotten. This will provide customers with the experience they expect and keep you compliant.
The benefits of staying PSVAIR-compliant
Although it comes at a cost to make vehicles compliant with the PSVAIR, there are advantages to investing in the technology, including:
- Regulatory compliance
Being PSVAIR-compliant will remove the risk of any fines for not following the law.
- Long-term benefits
The focus on accessibility isn’t going away so acting now to make vehicles and journeys more inclusive will save you time and resources in the long run.
- Increased customer loyalty
Providing an accessible service to disabled passengers improves their experience and can come with a boost to your organisation's reputation, thereby building customer loyalty.
- More business potential
When you’re PSVAIR-compliant, you’ll be in a better position to service more passengers, which will help to build a more inclusive industry.
With these benefits, compliance can be seen as an opportunity to build a more resilient, inclusive future for the rail network.
As the PSVAIR deadline approaches, compliant rail replacement will become the only suitable solution to support passengers.
Download our rail reports today to understand the real passenger experience of rail disruption – and discover how more accessible rail replacement services can improve resilience, efficiency, and passenger confidence across the UK rail network.