Explanatory note

The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 (“the 1998 Regulations”) came into force on 1st November 1998, and were made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The 1998 Regulations require all passenger-carrying vehicles (known as “regulated rail vehicles”) used on railways, tramways, monorail systems or magnetic levitation systems, which are first brought into use, or belong to a class of vehicle first brought in to use, after 31st December 1998, to meet certain minimum requirements for the benefit of disabled people.

These Regulations amend the 1998 Regulations so that they also apply to an additional form of guided transport, namely systems which are track-based with side guidance. These Regulations also make the following amendments—

• to provide operators with 6 days in all circumstances to ensure compliance with the 1998 Regulations when a vehicle fails or becomes damaged;

• to allow additional audible warnings when some doors are closed;

• to allow automatic door opening and closing devices;

• to ensure wheelchair access to wheelchair spaces, toilets for wheelchair users and wheelchair-compatible sleeping compartments;

• to ensure that wheelchair spaces are clearly identified as wheelchair spaces;

• to disapply certain dimensional requirements from hinged handrails in disabled persons toilets.

• to replace one of the diagrams in the Schedule to the 1998 Regulations; and

• other minor changes designed to ensure consistency throughout the Regulations.

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission and the other member States in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No. L204, 21.7.98, p. 37), as amended by Directive 98/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No. L217, 5.8.98, p. 18).