Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 31 March 2004. It was answered by Tony McNulty (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 March 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what percentage of buses he estimates allow full wheelchair access for users. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of buses he estimates allow full wheelchair access for users. [165150] Mr. McNulty: An annual survey of vehicle operators carried out by the Department for Transport indicates that approximately 30 per cent. of the 48,000 full size buses operating in Great Britain as Public Service Vehicles, are low floor vehicles offering access for wheelchair users. The percentage operating in any given area will vary but in major cities it is likely to be considerably higher. The current figure for London is around 90 per cent. These vehicles comprise 6,300 that meet the full wheelchair accessibility requirements of the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000, and a further 7,700 which were manufactured prior to these regulations coming into force, which are low floor vehicles providing a good level of accessibility for wheelchair users.

Secondary information