‘PSVAR ready’ coach shift moderate, industry reports

Specification of ‘PSVAR ready’ provision in new coaches is growing in light of the current medium-term exemption (MTE) approach to the Regulations, but the shift towards that ‘halfway’ level of fit out remains moderate, it has emerged.

However, some dealers have seen a waning of demand for coaches to be delivered to PSVAR compliant format since the government published its MTE policy in April. That has fanned a shift towards PSVAR readiness in some cases, where an additional door (but no lift) is in place. Solid interest remains for coaches that are neither compliant with nor prepared for PSVAR.

Speaking in September, Pelican Bus and Coach Head of Sales for Coaches Simon Collins said that PSVAR is now “not as critical” for customers, although many Yutong buyers opt for readiness. Lacking a lift reduces weight and removes the need for inspections and servicing of that equipment.

Volvo Buses Sales Manager Dave Porter notes that it was early to offer PSVAR readiness on some of its coaches, but he adds that the dealership has seen no evidence of the demand for full compliance shifting towards that ‘lite’ specification.

“Between those two standards, our market still sits with full PSVAR. As an example, one customer told us that while a vehicle will be occupied on tours for nine months of the year, the remaining three months require flexibility.”

EvoBus (UK) Director Mercedes-Benz Sales Jonathan Prime says that Daimler Truck is yet to build any PSVAR ready Mercedes-Benz Tourismos for the UK market, although it can do so. The dealership has supplied many that are fully compliant, and while it has previously considered offering the ‘lite’ approach on stock coaches, Mr Prime says that predicting future demand is difficult.

He acknowledges the immediate financial benefits of a specification prepared for PSVAR, but highlights that adding a lift mid-life and not at time of construction can potentially increase the overall cost of achieving compliance. Since announcement of the MTE approach, EvoBus (UK) has seen demand for full PSVAR compliance on new coaches reduce slightly.

Eavesway Travel has a Yutong TC9 in its fleet that is PSVAR ready. Managing Director Mike Eaves accepts that provision for a lift later represents “advance planning,” and he underlines that where one is fitted the operator must factor in the costs of servicing and testing.

Eavesway achieves wheelchair accessibility via its use of Van Hool Altanos, which removes the need for a lift. Mr Eaves says that the roll-on arrangement is preferable owing to concerns around a wheelchair user being raised potentially above head height on a standard lift approach.