Bitey as usual, Robert?

Never tried putting a pram or wheelchair onto a step-entrance vehicle.......?

Jumping to conclusions, Tommy? I wasn't being 'bitey' at all!

I was simply questioning the last part of your post. The DDA regulations have wiped out what you would have hated to see (which you would have seen for all years prior) so I didn't understand what you meant by it...

No doubt we'll start to see the arguments from spotters about the PSVAR/DDA regulations.

In my opinion, these regulations are the way forward to making all buses accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs and the elderly. If the entrance to the bus is too tight, it's a struggle to get on and there will be more reasons.

I'd hate to have seen what buses would be like without these regulations to be honest.

I did spot a blog post ranting on about how all the garishly coloured poles spoil the view for the 97% of people who aren't disabled and the seating arrangement is so inconvenient for the majority, all because of that 3%. It was an old post, so I made do with rolling my eyes all the way out of the car at the stupidity, rather than biting. I might not be in a wheelchair, but I quite like having something to hold onto so I don't fall over.

i have emailed north yorkshire ipt compliance team on dda compliant buses in northallerton, as there was a lot of buses non dda new years eve , where do i stand if a non dda compliant bus turns up do i bill them for taking a taxi instead ? i said i would take photos if they need evidence !! i love annoying ipt at county hall as they removed my son off his school bus when i told them the school signs were incorrect which i had photos of , they say they have no money but my son goes by taxi now as the law says with having special needs they have to transport him

DVSA should be policing it through spot checks. Not sure whether this will also be covered as part of an MOT going forward though?

It's always going to be a case that people will report it too, so I can't see any operators running the risk.

I imagine there will be a lot of tale telling - whether it is with foundation or not.

Whether it be from disgruntled employees, rival drivers or rival operators.

I haven't seen any promotional or industry literature, issued by the relevant bodies, so I can't confirm if there has been a number set up to report breaches.

If a single deck bus, not coach, with more than 22 seats runs on a registered public bus service (ie not restricted to kids or factory workers) it now has to be DDA compliant. Whether VOSA roadside checks will enforce correct interpretation of rules regarding destinations etc I don't know, although they do seem to look for any excuse to issue spot fines. I assume vehicles will have to have all that is required by DDA when going for annual PCV tests. For school runs different local authorities have differing requirements. I run 30 year old Bedfords on school runs (not in Northeast) and on a once a week market day council subsidised service, and can use the coaches on that til 2020.

I'm just wondering if Scarlet Band and Hodgsons have their buses registered as coaches to get round the loophole?

5309 appears to have a blackout on its blinds. Nothing on show, despite being in service.

Is this https://flic.kr/p/C8gBsr DDA Compliant?

Is this https://flic.kr/p/C8gBsr DDA Compliant?

Up until the 20th. Should really be replaced now if it isn't PSVAR compliant.

Up until the 20th. Should really be replaced now if it isn't PSVAR compliant.

I'm not sure where Scott got the 20 day thing from? I've read over the legislation a number of times and have seen no mention of it.

If it doesn't comply with PSVAR / DDA regulations, I'd expect it would have been withdrawn now. Excluding the few examples with Arriva North East, I've seen no other photos of non-DDA compliant single decks operating in service after 1 January 2016 (excluding any vehicles with destination issues).

My understanding is that the 20 day thing is if you're registering or stepping in for a service, in what would be defined an emergency registration. It's not there for if you can't be bothered to get your house in order.

My understanding is that the 20 day thing is if you're registering or stepping in for a service, in what would be defined an emergency registration. It's not there for if you can't be bothered to get your house in order.

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

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.

Seems to be quite a few issues from Arriva down south...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mkrbus/23894156064/ - Front/side display inop.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mkrbus/24149633710/ - Fitted with a roller side blind, which is inop.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mkrbus/24445246835 - No side display fitted
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mkrbus/24310344332/ - No side display fitted

Well Hunters have MPD W363 ABD out on the 713 today - still with that fixed destination display.

Side destination display on 641 flashing on and off.

Side destination display on 641 flashing on and off.

Thanks - I have reported this to engineering.

Bus may have been jump started this morning. This tends to cause most side destination problems on the Optare Solos.

548s rear destination: https://www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N...otostream/

This is similar (if not the same) as 3886 is havig with its rear flipdot.

8271 has issues with its rear blind.
I was following it earlier and the destination seems to be a bit iffy.

8271 has issues with its rear blind.
I was following it earlier and the destination seems to be a bit iffy.

I've been at Washington Depot twice this week on morning run-out, and noted the problem with both 8270 and 8271.

Observing from afar; it looked like the destination glass needed to be cleaned, rather than an issue with the destination display itself.

We operate a local service that carries schoolchildren (fare payers and education passes) as well as general public
My question is
If I stop claiming BSOG, stop carrying general public and  carry schoolchildren only could I use a non DDA bus on this route
Also would I have to send a 56day variation to notify commissioner I would no longer carry public

We operate a local service that carries schoolchildren (fare payers and education passes) as well as general public
My question is
If I stop claiming BSOG, stop carrying general public and  carry schoolchildren only could I use a non DDA bus on this route
Also would I have to send a 56day variation to notify commissioner I would no longer carry public

My understanding is that if you make it a closed contract (ie none fare paying) then you can use a non DDA vehicle.
This would then mean you could only take pre-paid (off-bus) and passes though.
Yes the bus service registration would have to be cancelled I think?

My understanding is that if you make it a closed contract (ie none fare paying) then you can use a non DDA vehicle.
This would then mean you could only take pre-paid (off-bus) and passes though.
Yes the bus service registration would have to be cancelled I think?

My understanding of it is that it can't be a registered bus service. So you couldn't take fares for it, whether that be one way or another. If you're accepting education passes, then I guess you'd be doing it via a contract, so you're still being paid fares for operating that service.

I think it'd have to be a coach service or you'd have to run it for free.

My understanding is that if you make it a closed contract (ie none fare paying) then you can use a non DDA vehicle.
This would then mean you could only take pre-paid (off-bus) and passes though.
Yes the bus service registration would have to be cancelled I think?

 
To clarify. it is a commercial service at present.the kids would pay a daily fare, the council purchase some passes off me

First ANE bus I see in 2016.......MPD 1800 and no working rear destination.

Thanks, will pass that onto the person I know once I see him again.

Just seen this bus again this morning and it is still not working.

Just seen this bus again this morning and it is still not working.

Its been reported but there aren't any guidelines saying that the rear blind should be illuminated? I'll chase that up.

Its been reported but there aren't any guidelines saying that the rear blind should be illuminated? I'll chase that up.

Yes there is.

(2) A regulated public service vehicle shall be fitted with a route number display on the rear of the vehicle 

(3) Any route number display shall be capable of displaying 
© characters that are provided with a means of illumination

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1...idance.pdf

Yes there is.

(2) A regulated public service vehicle shall be fitted with a route number display on the rear of the vehicle 

(3) Any route number display shall be capable of displaying 
© characters that are provided with a means of illumination

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1...idance.pdf

Thanks for clarifying. I'll pass it on.

The wording is "commercial advertising should not detract" from the clarity of the destinations and that "Other major points on the route can be included but they should not detract from the clarity of the ultimate destination" 

With this definition in mind, I'm hoping someone with knowledge on the area can clarify where this comes in under the new legislation: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/76257710@N03/24355967740

This is the standard layout of First Potteries' destinations. I have many gripes about the company and this could be one. To the casual user it takes a moment to decipher what the four words mean. They're all given equal footing and it's not entirely obvious 'Hanley' is the final destination. It must be a nightmare for the partially sighted. Is this compliant?

The number on the rear of 4935 is on the wrong side.