Category: Goverment

Limited Exemption to A.I.R for Rail Replacement Coach Services Announced by DfT

Dear UKCOA Members,

We are pleased to inform you of a significant development following UKCOA’s stakeholder engagement with the Department for Transport (DfT).  After extensive discussions, Ministers have agreed to a limited-time exemption from the Accessible Information Regulations for Rail Replacement services operated by seated-only coaches until 31st July 2026.

This exemption provides much-needed flexibility for operators, allowing more time to adapt while still ensuring service continuity.  Please note that this exemption is temporary, and we will continue working with the DfT to explore longer-term solutions that balance accessibility requirements with operational feasibility.

In order to make the exemption Regulations by the 1st October, DfT need to receive completed application forms by 23:59 on Wednesday 25th September, and are unlikely to be able to accommodate late applications.

To qualify operators must:

  • Operate rail replacement services, or expect to operate rail replacement services before 31st July 2026; and
  • Either have not applied for the Accessible Information Grant or had their application for Accessible Information Grant funding rejected.
  • Use coaches designed and constructed for the carriage of seated passengers only, which is of category M2 or M3.

Full details of the exemption will be provided to successful applicants, but a summary provided by DfT states vehicles will be exempt from:

  1. The requirement to meet certain standards with respect to audible information, including the frequency range, minimum and maximum volume of announcements, and the requirement to provide information via audible induction loops for passengers who use hearing aids.
  2. The requirement to meet certain standards with respect to visible information, including the proportion of passenger seats which must be in direct line-of-sight of information, minimum text size and the requirement not to provide information solely using capital letters.
  3. The requirement to provide an “alert” before certain information, such as when the vehicle deviates from its standard route or when the service terminates.

All remaining aspects of AIR will still apply which includes:

  1. The requirement to provide information indicating the route and destination of the service, each upcoming scheduled stopping point, the termination of the service, the beginning of diversions and the beginning and end of “hail and ride” sections of route.
  2. The requirement for required information to be provided at specific points in a journey, albeit subject to slight modification to make it easier for onboard staff to provide such information manually when not driving.
  3. The requirement to provide information consistently using both audible and visible media.
  4. The requirement that information provision cannot rely on passengers possessing their own smartphone.

We can send you the guidance for eligibility and the application form that must be submitted by 23:59 on 25th September.

If you have any questions on the Accessible Information Regulations, or need assistance completing the application please contact:

Peter Bradley / Stephen Spendley

UK Coach Operators Association

[email protected]

0333 7333 222