PSVAR: ‘It’s not something that is going to go away’

Compliance with PSVAR can now be the difference between the wheels turning or not. routeone speaks with suppliers across the industry and examines a range of solutions to get fleets equipped

PSVAR compliance has become one of the most serious challenges for coach operators to overcome. Outside of the politics, one of the biggest questions has been how to achieve accessibility for vehicles captured on in-scope duties.

Fortunately, there are many reputable suppliers ready to help with conversions and sales of converted or factory-ready vehicles. routeone speaks with them and finds out how they are assisting operators equip their fleets.

PSVAR conversions from BASE

BASE Coach Sales, the UK dealership for MOBIpeople and Beulas products, offers PSVAR-ready new factory vehicles. Even if a customer does not specify a PSVAR-compliant vehicle, BASE recommends every new coach at least be prepared for conversion down the line – which involves installation of tracking, door and destination board accoutrements.

Factory installation of such items will always be cheaper than a later conversion, says General Manager Nick Dodgson, and can go a long way to protect the future resale value of a vehicle. “Even if an operator’s workload does not demand for PSVAR compliance now, when it comes to selling the vehicle, buyers are on board regarding its importance for residual values and second life,” he adds.

Operators have reacted positively. In 2018, when it became clear the hot topic would become PSVAR and demand for accessible vehicles gained pace, BASE was able to turn up with wheelchair prepared vehicles at Coach and Bus UK, having anticipated demand as early as 2004 with compliant Marcopolos. By 2019, 80% of BASE’s sales were for compliant vehicles. “It’s something we have done at BASE for two decades,” adds Nick. “We have been ahead of the curve and specialised with wheelchair accessible coaches for a number of years.”

As well as ready-built vehicles, BASE offers retrofit conversions for the whole MOBIpeople range, the Beulas range, Neoplan and is working closely with partners at MAN UK Bus and Coach to offer conversions on new and used vehicles. It is able to offer conversions for Sunsundegui and, wherever possible, it is putting vehicles back to the MOBIpeople factory in Portugal, to the Beulas factory in Spain or to a third facility in Spain, rather than in a UK-based workshop.

Conversions takes between five and six weeks once at the factory. Sending vehicles back to the factory offers better peace of mind from BASE’s perspective. “Nobody will do a Beulas conversion better than Beulas itself,” Nick argues.

BASE also hosts a selection of used stock with PSVAR conversions, capturing a range of Euro emissions standards. Back at the factories, Nick says BASE is also doing its first Mercedes-Benz Tourismo and VDL factory conversions and these will be added to the supplier’s list of vehicles it can sell, as well as vehicles that third parties can offer up for conversions.

He encourages operators to look at the regulations as a great opportunity and urges all to resist the temptation to see the standard as a mere checkbox exercise. Demonstration of vehicle lifts removes a barrier for many users and can be a powerful persuader for the sector. And for operators not ready to buy, BASE even offers short-term rentals on PSVAR vehicles too.

Positive feedback for Irizar

Irizar has responded to the demands of the regulations with the delivery of factory conversions on new and used i6 and i6S vehicles – both integrals and on Scania chassis. More than 30 vehicles have been delivered with more in the production process.

To guarantee durability, Irizar says it has carried out a comprehensive design analysis of the vehicle structure, which includes a “finite element study” which identifies, through 3D mapping, where stresses and strains may occur on the coach during operation. This ensures all necessary reinforcements are in place, and means the conversion is fully compliant with the ECE R66 rollover regulation – and protects future residual values.

Conversions include a Masats KS7 cassette type semi-automatic wheelchair lift mounted in the luggage compartment, floor trackingwith a Tecam quick-release seat system and restraints, and front, side and rear Hanover destination signage. Vehicles converted with Irizar are supplied with a factory Certificate of Approval and carry a two-year Irizar guarantee on the conversion. Each vehicle’s five-year structural guarantee is unaffected by the conversion work.

EVM’s new conversion facility

Ireland-based EVM announced the opening of its West Sussex conversion facility on 4 May which, coupled with its Irish manufacturing facility, promises increased capacity for operators looking for conversions on the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo product.

A team of six trained technicians under EVM Engineering Director Cosimo Facecchia will undertake the work. “Weeks and possibly months of time have been invested to achieve the safety, quality and factory finish operators would expect to see on their Mercedes-Benz coaches,” says EVM Director Ivor Jones. EVM’s PSVAR conversions are tested by the manufacturer in accordance with UN-ECE R66 and the overall installation complies with R107.

Doors are made of alloy steel, which does not increase the weight of the structure and maintains the vehicle’s original centre of gravity. Stainless-steel hinges avoid corrosion problems in later life, while two safety locks double to act as a seal and noise insulator. Windows match OEM specification in colour and size and EVM has developed three different colours originally from the OEM to achieve factory finish.

A PLS cassette style lift is mounted to a bespoke frame fixed in the luggage compartment. A sealed flap on the OEM side locker door avoids the risk of water leaks into the luggage compartment. Two double seats fitted on NMI Millennium quick release fittings and recessed floor tracking is supported by a bespoke additional structure, developed and tested to R80 pull test and R107 bus certification.

To guarantee corrosion protection on the conversions, metal structures are cleaned, degreased and treated while internal trimming is bespoke on each vehicle converted. After the vehicle is completed, a check-up is performed and stored in EVM’s database to guarantee traceability in accordance with the ISO quality standard. The result is that vehicles are returned to their owners with a DVSA PSVA1 Accessibility Certificate.

‘Suitable for all’

For Used Vehicle Sales Manager at Mistral Andy Biggs, the ongoing pandemic has highlighted many things in the industry, including the overwhelming vulnerability of those operators with an unmixed operation such as a sole reliance on tour work or corporate travel which ceased to be available.

A common policy of ‘one size fits all’ vehicles, where coaches at home on rail replacement or educational work are suited for corporate bookings, is being adopted by many operators and Mistral is working to make this transition an easier one. That includes early upgrade options on existing rentals.

“All existing Mistral coach rental customers have been approached and given an early upgrade option, thus allowing a non-PSVAR coach midway through a rental term to be returned to us on a temporary basis for PSVAR conversion by the original vehicle manufacturer where possible and then placed back into their operation under a new rental agreement,” explains Andy. “This has several benefits for both the operator and Mistral. The operator retains use of a vehicle that it is already familiar with and trusts, but with vastly increased usability and earnings potential.”

“Mistral’s approach to PSVAR is quite simple… It isn’t going away”

That uplift in rental rate is more manageable than the capital outlay for a conversion, Andy adds, while at the same time Mistral manages to strengthen its partnership with the operator and ease disposal headaches down the line.

“Our standard practice is to now also appraise any returning coach vehicle to our fleet for conversion, and on the basis that a supported conversion option exists, it will be done to further widen its appeal to the operator base,” adds Andy.

Mistral currently has Euro VI-compliant Volvo Plaxton Panther twin axles and MAN Neoplan Tourliner tri-axles in stock, with up to 55 and 61 total seating capacity (without wheelchair) respectively. It also holds a number of ADL Enviro200 service buses with seatbelts, suited to some in-scope work, while it has invested in an Enviro400 with up to 86 belted seats to enhance its product offering – those are available to secure now for supply later in the year.

“Mistral’s approach to PSVAR is quite simple,” concludes Andy. “It isn’t going away and operators will need to comply to survive.”

By putting together extremely competitive rental deals on PSVAR converted used Euro VI equipment, as well as brand new factory orders for both coach and bus, we are giving operators immediate access to compliant, modern and reliable vehicles without the need for excessive cash outlay when they need to protect reserves the most and furthermore, eliminating residual value risk.”

Elite service from Acklams

In 2016 Beverley-based Acklams Coaches opened Elite Coach Works, a commercial paint and body shop specialising in PSV and HGV repairs.

The workshop was initially established to cover work needed on Acklams’ fleet and reduce costs, but the business soon chose to offer the skillset of its technicians to the wider coach and bus industry. With the software, experience and capability to resolve most issues faced by the sector, work picked up after recommendations and now PSVAR conversions and LOLER testing comprises a key part of the workshop’s offering. Director Alan Acklam says the plan is for Elite Coach Works to be a “one-stop shop” for coach and bus issues.

Conversions are currently available for Plaxton, Neoplan, Mercedes-Benz, and Irizar models, with an offering for VDL in the pipeline. PLS lifts are used on all conversions and work is carried out to a high standard by Acklam’s team of trained technicians. “As a well respected coach company we have taken the same hard work into Elite Coach Works as we have with Acklams,” Alan says.

But Alan also recognises that PSVAR conversions will most likely be a short-term proposition, and that the business will continue supporting operators with the other offerings when most fleets are back out on the road. “We’ve done more air conditioning repairs than we have ever done before,” he says. “And we’re hoping to increase that. Vehicle diagnostics and other issues are a big part of what we are doing now that operators have started running vehicles again.”

A unique aspect of Acklams is also that it is able to approach the PSVAR concern from an operator’s, as well as a supplier’s, point of view.

The nature of its newly tendered work hints at what the future will be. “The tenders we have just gone through with our local authority all have to be PSVAR-compliant,” he says. “The older ones have exemptions, but they will be phased out eventually.”