Rail Accessibility Ltd
Rail Vehicles
New rail vehicles must comply with the relevant accessibility regulations; either the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) or the Technical Specification for Interoperability for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM TSI).
These regulations also apply when refurbishing existing rail vehicles.
Older rail vehicles built before the introduction of accessibility regulations must be made ‘accessible’ by the year 2020, although a programme of ‘targeted compliance’ means that there are likely to be exemptions granted by DfT for minor deviations from the regulations.
Further details on obligations regarding rail vehicle accessibility, including which regulations apply, can be found on the DfT website.
Operators of rail vehicles are also subject to the Equality Act 2010, which imposes obligations regarding the provision of services designed to prevent discrimination against disabled people. The Government Equalities Office provides a summary of the implications of the Equality Act.
