Written question asked by John Butterfill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 April 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 April 2010. It was answered by Lord Khan of Tooting (Labour) on Thursday, 8 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Bus Services

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he plans to regulate audio-visual information systems on local bus services, as set out in the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000.

Answer: Widespread implementation of audio visual systems presents some significant technological challenges. The Department for Transport is conducting research to assess whether these challenges can be overcome before it considers whether to make amendments to the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 to include a requirement for such systems to be fitted to buses. The research has brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including Guide Dogs, Royal National Institute of Blind People and Royal National Institute for Deaf People. The project is scheduled to report in summer 2010.

Secondary information