Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the status is of his Department's review of the UK derogation from EU law on training in disability awareness for bus and coach drivers; and whether his Department plans to seek to extend that derogation or apply for a new derogation.

In March 2014, the Department for Transport reviewed the use of a derogation applied under EU Regulation 181/2011 (concerning bus/coach passenger rights) that exempts bus and coach drivers from undertaking mandatory disability awareness training until March 2018. A range of stakeholder views were sought and a summary of responses was published in January 2015.

In addition, departmental officials are currently in discussions with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) about undertaking a research project on the quality and impact of disability equality awareness training currently offered to bus and coach drivers.

We will consider all the evidence and, in the meantime, will continue to press the bus industry to ensure that bus and coach drivers are adequately trained to allow them to meet the needs of all passengers.