RVAR exemption: London Trams

The Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Non-Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2010 set standards for the accessibility features of a rail vehicle operated on particular types of rail systems. The Secretary of State for Transport has powers under section 183 of the Equality Act 2010 to allow operators of regulated rail vehicles to continue to operate a vehicle if it does not fully comply with the standards set in the schedules to these regulations.

We are seeking feedback on an application by London Trams for an exemption to certain requirements of the regulations relating to the date from which the regulations apply.

There are 2 types of vehicles in operation on the Croydon tram network:

• Bombardier CR4000 - built between 1998 and 2000
• Stadler Variobahn - built between 2012 and 2015

These vehicles were built to RVAR standards. However, a review of compliance carried out by London Trams has identified that there are some areas where the standards have not been fully met.

These are:

• door closure audio/visual warning times
• letter height on internal passenger information screens
• handrail radius
• door vestibule lighting
• floor height changes

A time limited dispensation is sought while work is carried out to rectify the non-compliances over door closure and letter height. The others are integral to the vehicle structure and will be for the operational life of the vehicle.