PSVAIR Key Requirements

The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulation (PSVAIR) came into effect on 1 October 2023 make it mandatory for most local bus and coach services in the UK to provide real-time audible and visual information about routes, upcoming stops, diversions and journey status.  Its aim is to ensure passengers, particularly disabled, can travel independently and confidently  

For a bus or coach operator, the practical impact is the need to install and maintain an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and passenger information system that delivers compliant audio announcements and visual displays throughout the journey. 

Failure to comply with PSVAIR can result in enforcement action from the DVSA and the Traffic Commissioner. 

Overview of PSVAIR Regulations

For in-scope local bus and coach services, operators must provide information in both audible and visible formats. 

Route information

Passengers must be informed about: 

  • The service number or route  
  • The destination  

The direction of travel where relevant  

Upcoming stops

Passengers must receive information identifying: 

  • The next scheduled stop  
  • Sufficient notice before the stop is reached  

Diversions and changes

Where reasonably possible, passengers must be informed of: 

  • Diversions  
  • Temporary route changes  

Changes affecting scheduled stopping points  

Terminating services

Passengers must be informed when the service is ending and that they need to leave the vehicle.  

Detailed Audio and Visual Requirements

The regulations are very prescriptive about quality of the audio and visual information and passengers must obtain the same essential information regardless of whether they rely on hearing or sight.  

Key requirements include: 

Audible information

Announcements must: 

  • Be clear and intelligible  
  • Be loud enough to be heard above background noise  
  • Not be excessively loud  

Visual Information

Displays must: 

  • Be visible from passenger seating areas  
  • Be legible  
  • Be displayed long enough to be read  
  • Use suitable contrast and presentation standards  

Timeline for PSVAIR

Compliance dates vary depending on when vehicles entered service. 

Newer vehicles (in service on or after 1 Oct 2019) must comply from 1 Oct 2024 

Older vehicles (in service between 1 Oct 2014 & 30 Sept 2019) must comply from 1 Oct  2025  

The full rollout, incorporating vehicles in service between 1 January 1973 and 30 September 2014 should be completed by 2026 for the vast majority of affected services although a number of exemptions do exist.   

The current exemption for operators running RAIL REPLACEMENT coaches expires on 31 July, 2026