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Guidance

Accessibility standards for bus manufacturers

Sets out the agreement of an expert panel on how bus manufacturers can improve accessibility for passengers.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Details

This guidance sets out agreed accessibility standards developed by the bus manufacturing expert panel, which was convened by the Department for Transport (DfT) to explore how the bus industry can raise accessibility levels.

It is intended for those involved in designing, specifying, procuring and operating buses, including:

  • bus manufacturers
  • bus operators
  • local transport authorities

The agreed measures are designed to help the industry go beyond existing legal accessibility requirements and improve the travel experience for passengers.

The guidance covers:

  • recommended standards for universal adoption on new buses
  • areas for further research and development where more evidence and testing is needed

The standards should be adopted for all new and, where appropriate, refurbished buses. they are intended to support accessibility as part of wider fleet modernisation and the development of more inclusive bus services.

Updates to this page

Published 21 September 2026

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