To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of progress towards compliance with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act in respect of accessibility by persons with disabilities (a) to buses by 2017 and (b) to rail vehicles by 2020; and if he will make a statement. (281824)

The Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 require all buses and coaches both old and new to comply with the provisions of Disability Discrimination Act 1995, from 2015 through to 2017 for buses, and from 2020 for coaches. Buses used on local services have been steadily becoming more accessible. In 2008 (the latest statistics available), around 62 per cent. of the bus fleet meet low floor and accessibility requirements.

Almost 5000 rail vehicles (including 42 per cent. of the national train fleet) are in service, having been built to modern access standards. Furthermore, almost all older rail vehicles have featured increased accessibility as they have undergone refurbishment.