Community Transport

Transport should be easy to use for everyone. The Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR) apply to buses and coaches running local or scheduled bus services introduced since 31st December 2000 and set out the accessibility requirements for such vehicles.

The Regulations require all buses and coaches, both old and new, to comply from the year 2015 (through to 2017) for buses and from 2020 for coaches. Different dates apply according to the size and type of vehicle. From then on all public transport by bus or coach, with a few exceptions, will be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.

Traveline is a journey planner that gives information about the type of bus that is normally used on a service – a picture of a downward arrow signifies a ‘low floor’ bus and a picture of a wheelchair and user signifies a wheelchair accessible bus.

Travel training helps people get more from life by giving them the confidence to travel independently. Trainers will accompany trainees on their journeys, providing encouragement and guidance until we feel confident that trainees have developed the appropriate skills to travel independently. Trainers work with clients who have behavioural difficulties, physical difficulties and additional needs to enable them to use public transport services. You can find out more by following the link to our Travel Training page.

Bus operators are committed to making scheduled bus services accessible to as many people as possible. Not all mobility scooters are suitable for carriage aboard buses. The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) leaflet sets out a code of practice for the carriage of mobility scooters on scheduled bus services outside of London. Scooters should be assessed by the operator and approval should be issued in the form of a credit card sized “permit to travel.”

Dogs are permitted to travel free on Essex County Council contracted services at the discretion of the driver with the exception of Assistance Dogs which are to be carried other than in exceptional circumstances. Dogs should be kept on a lead or harness, and be kept clear of the gangway and not on the seats.

For commercially operated services, please refer to the bus operator for their specific policy.

Modern buses (those brought into service after 31st December 2000, and all buses from 2017) should have a designated space for wheelchairs that also serves as a space for pushchairs or buggies. If the bus is busy, or if a wheelchair user requires the space, you may be asked to fold up your pushchair or buggy.

Each operator may have their own policy or guidance about pushchairs and buggies on their bus services, so please refer directly to the bus operator for their specific policy.

In places where there are no fixed bus stops along the road, bus services may operate as ‘hail and ride’.

If a bus service operates as hail and ride it means you can signal to the bus driver that you wish to board the bus at any point along the road and the driver will stop where it is safe to do so.

If you want to get off the bus, simply ring the bell close to where you want to alight and the driver will pull over as soon as it is safe to.

Hail and ride usually operates where there are no fixed bus stops along the road, often in rural areas or along residential estates, and can be along the entire length of its route or a small section. If a bus service operates hail and ride, it will be identified as such in the timetable produced by the bus operator.

Remember - your driver has a responsibility to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. Please respect his or her judgment when requesting the bus to stop.

Please follow the useful below of this page for information about a variety of accessibility matters.