(13 Jan 2016, 9:09 am)Dan wrote That's all that I could find, too. It only concerns destination displays, rather than non-DDA buses in general:
"If the vehicle is providing a temporary service (e.g. rail replacement) or is an emergency replacement vehicle on the route in question it may not be possible to display the route and destination in all the usual places. In such cases a temporary sign must be displayed and must show the correct route number (if any) and the correct destination displayed on the front or nearside of the vehicle as close as practicable to the front entrance. The route and destination need not be illuminated at night. These relaxations apply only for the first 21 days of operation of such services."
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/sy...le5990.pdf
The PSVAR guidance states "the Regulations apply to all buses and coaches operating to a published timetable." Nightingale Coaches are currently running a temporary service (28C) whilst Go North East's 28 service is diverted. The published timetable is available here; however, I note that the vehicle is operating with no destinations at present (but does have some vinyls with the route number at the front and back of the bus). I wonder if Nightingale Coaches realise that they have just over a week to arrange for destination displays to be fitted on what is potentially a leased/hired vehicle?
Source: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1...idance.pdf
The Nightingale Coaches 28C should be exempt from PSVAR as the act applies to local and scheduled bus services. On a local or scheduled service each passenger must pay a fare (referred to in legislation as a separate fare).
The 28C is a free of charge service so it does not qualify as local or scheduled and despite having a timetable it does not even need to be registered with VOSA.
Temporary rail and metro replacements where a fare is required need to be registered so they will fall under the PSVAR requirements.
While free services may technically fall outside the legislation I would expect most operators will still want to comply on a voluntary basis.