Accessibility Specification for Small Buses Designed to Carry 9 to 22 Passengers (Inclusive)

Accessibility Specification B: Vehicles Used on Local Services

B1. Entrances and Exits

B1.1 Passenger entrances/exits (excluding any emergency exits), and the area(s) immediately outside these, are to be well lit, including illumination at foot level, when passengers are boarding and alighting.

B1.2 Primary Entrance

At least one nearside passenger entrance is to be designated as the primary entrance and is to have:

B1.2.1 A single step with a maximum height above ground level of 250mm when the vehicle is in the loading position, which may be achieved by means of a kneeling mechanism. There are to be no subsequent steps in this entrance.

B1.2.2 The step nosing and entrance flooring of slip-resistant material, with the nosing finished in a bright colour contrasting with the colour of the floor/step surface.

B1.2.3 A boarding aid compliant with Section B8.3, available at all times.

B1.2.4 A transverse slope in the floor of not more than 5° (approximately 1 in 12 or 8%) measured with the vehicle unladen in its normal ride position may be permitted within 1000mm of the entry step.

B1.2.5 A minimum unobstructed space through this entrance of 800mm wide, and 1800mm high measured from the floor in the vertical plane.

B1.2.6 Handrails compliant with Section B4, giving a rigid handhold (which may be fixed to the inside of the door leaf provided the leaf does not significantly move when the handrail is in use), and which incorporate:

(i) a vertical section on each side of the entrance from a point not more than 550mm above the step to a point not less than 850mm above the step, which is to be mounted no more than 100mm inboard of the step nosing measured in the horizontal plane when the door(s) is (are) open, and

(ii) a horizontal section on one side of the entrance (preferably both), mounted at a height of 800mm to 900mm above the floor which extends from a point not more than 150mm inboard of the step nosing measured in the vertical plane for at least 350mm into the entrance platform.

B1.3 Primary Exit

B1.3.1 At least one nearside passenger exit is to be designated as the primary exit.

B1.3.2 This may either be combined with the primary entrance or be separate.

B1.3.3 If it is separate, it must meet the same conditions as the primary entrance in Section B1.2.

B1.4 Secondary Entrances

B1.4.1 Any secondary passenger entrances are to be compliant with paragraph B1.2.2.

B1.4.2 Any secondary entrance with a single step is also to be compliant with paragraphs B1.2.4 and B1.2.6.

B1.4.3 Any secondary entrance with more than one step is also to have:

B1.4.3.1 A maximum first step height of 250mm above ground level, which may be achieved with a folding or slide out step or kneeling mechanism.

B1.4.3.2 Each subsequent entrance/exit step (maximum two) which is to be between 120mm and 200mm high with the risers consistent in height to within 10mm. The required number of steps are to be grouped together.

B1.4.3.3 Step treads with a minimum depth of 280mm (300mm preferred).

B1.4.3.4 Handrails compliant with Section B4, provided on both sides of the entrance and exit to give a rigid handhold parallel with the slope of the steps from a point not more than 100mm from the outer edge of the first fixed step to a point not less than 100mm beyond the nosing of the top step, at a height of 800- 900mm above the step nosings. These handrails may be fixed to the inside of the door leaf provided the leaf does not move significantly when the handrail is in use.

B2. Wheelchair Spaces

B2.1 There must be at least one designated wheelchair space provided within the low floor area.

B2.2 It must be possible for a reference wheelchair - (see Annex A) - to be moved from the primary entrance to the designated wheelchair space and from the wheelchair space to an exit with the wheelchair user moving in a forward direction. Sufficient room is to be provided for the wheelchair to be manoeuvred into and out of the designated space and for the wheelchair to be turned around within the combined area of the designated space and the adjacent gangway.

B2.3 A minimum gangway width of 750mm at any point, from floor level to a height not less than 1400mm above the floor, is required from the primary entrance to the designated wheelchair space.

B2.4 Where the wheelchair space or the access to it may overlap with the foot space in front of a seat or a fold up seat when in use, a notice is to be displayed requiring the seat to be given up when the space is required by a wheelchair user. Any such seat is not to be designated as a priority seat referred to in paragraph B5.6.

B2.5 Any space designated for the use of wheelchairs is to be compliant with Section B8.4.

B2.6 Except as provided for in paragraph B2.7, on vehicles where space for more than one wheelchair is provided, each wheelchair space is to be not less than 750mm wide and 1300mm long and within the low floor area; and a minimum gangway width of 750mm is required at all times between each additional wheelchair space and either the primary entrance or an alternative entrance which is wheelchair accessible (i.e. provides a minimum width of 750mm).

B2.7 Where space for more than one wheelchair is provided on a local service which operates to and from a single destination such as a Park & Ride service, and where it is possible for the last wheelchair passenger to board to alight first:

(i) the minimum gangway width of 750mm does not need to be adhered to other than between the first wheelchair position and the primary entrance,

(ii) beyond this the gangway requirements in paragraph B3.4 are to be met for access to all seats which are available for passenger use (i.e. excluding any seats folded out of use to provide space for wheelchairs), and

(iii) the amount of space set aside for each additional wheelchair may be varied to accommodate particular wheelchairs and the restraint systems referred to in paragraph B8.4.

B3. Floors and Gangways

B3.1 At least 50% of the passenger accommodation is to form a single low floor area free of any steps. Step free access is also required between the low floor area and the primary entrance.

B3.2 The floor should be level when the vehicle is in the normal ride position. A slope of not more than 3^º (approximately 1 in 20 or 5%), measured with the vehicle unladen and in its normal ride position, may be permitted.

B3.3 All floors and gangways should be covered with a slip-resistant material.

B3.4 Other than gangways where paragraph B2.3 applies, gangways are to be at least 450mm wide, from floor level up to 1400mm above floor, increasing to a minimum of 550mm wide at or above1400mm.

B3.5 A minimum headroom of 1800mm is required throughout the saloon area except in the areas within 150mm of the side walls, and above fixed seats and wheel arches.

B3.6 One of the horizontal handrails referred to in paragraph B1.2.6 is to be extended beyond the entrance to at least the first forward facing priority seat referred to in paragraph B5.6. Where this cannot be achieved due to any necessary breaks in this handrail, this is to be compensated for by suitably placed additional vertical handrails within the height range of 1200mm to 1500mm which provide a maximum reach of not more than 1050mm.

B3.7 Any steps in a gangway beyond the low floor area must be grouped together, and be between 120mm and 200mm in height, with the risers consistent in height to within 10mm.

Step treads are to be at least 300mm deep. Risers are to be vertical and closed, with a smooth flat surface with no protrusions. Any lights incorporated into risers are to be flush mounted. All step nosings and treads are to be finished in a slip-resistant material, with nosings in a bright colour contrasting with the colour of the floor/step surface.

B4. Handrails and Handholds

B4.1 All handrails and handholds must have a circular crosssection, with a diameter of between 30mm and 35mm. There should be no sharp bends (e.g. mitred corners of 90° or less) in handrails. There must be a minimum clearance of 45mm (preferably 50mm) between handrails or handholds and any adjacent surface.

B4.2 Handrails must have an easily gripped slip-resistant surface, preferably with a "rigidised" or similar raised texture, and in a bright colour which provides a clearly visible contrast (both in colour and tone) with the interior colour scheme and seat covering.

B4.3 The tops of all fixed gangway seat backs are to be fitted with a rigid vertical handrail. The tops of all removable or folding seats adjacent to the gangway are to be fitted with a rigid handhold, which may be a corner mounted grab handle on the gangway side or a top mounted grab handle. On any seat position where no such handhold or vertical rail is available (e.g. a front row seat facing a bulkhead or a seat facing a wheelchair position) a horizontal handrail or vertical stanchion is to be provided for this purpose.

B5. Seats

B5.1 Other than for priority seats specified in paragraph B5.6, the minimum size of seat cushion for each passenger is 425mm wide (measured at the leading edge) and 400mm deep (measured through the centre line of the cushion top).

B5.2 The top of each seat cushion (measured at the leading edge) is to be between 430mm and 490mm above the floor immediately in front of the seat. The clear headroom above each seat is to be at least 1250mm from the top of the seat cushion (measured in the vertical plane from the centre of the leading edge).

B5.3 The distance between the front surface of the seat back and the back of the seat(s) in front is to be at least 650mm (measured at the centreline) and the minimum space between the leading edge of the seat cushion and the seat or fixture in front is to be 250mm (measured in the horizontal plane). If facing pairs of seats are provided, the minimum distance between them is to be not less than 500mm.

B5.4 The requirements in paragraphs B5.1, B5.2 and B5.3 apply to folding seats when these are in the deployed position.

B5.5 All seats are to be either forward or rearward facing.

B5.6 Two forward-facing seats in the low floor area, preferably those nearest to the primary entrance, which are not tip up seats, are to be provided as priority seats for elderly and disabled passengers. These are to be clearly marked with an appropriate notice, incorporating a pictogram, to indicate their purpose. There is to be an extended space (i.e. knee-room) of at least 300mm in front of these priority seats, and adequate space under or adjacent to them for an assistance dog to lie down. Priority seats are to be at least 450mm wide (measured at the leading edge of the cushion).

B6. Heating and Ventilation

B6.1 An adequate system of heating and ventilation should be installed to ensure that a reasonable temperature and air quality is maintained in the passenger area.

B7. Luggage Space

B7.1 Luggage space should be provided for the safe storage of shopping bags, trolleys or folded pushchairs, etc. The minimum recommended volume is 0.21 cubic metres which may be achieved by a pen of 500mm wide by 600mm long by 700mm deep.

Published: 7 December 2001

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