Section 3: Accessibility
3.1 Introduction
The ease and speed of accessibility for passengers of all ages, sizes and mobility capability while both boarding and alighting a vehicle, as well as movement within the vehicle, is of prime importance because:
- it removes the perceived barrier that buses cannot be easily used by all members of the public whether able bodied or not
- boarding and alighting times are much reduced, which can have a significant impact on the overall travel times and consistency of journey time of a bus service when compared with that of the alternative choices, ie using a private or company vehicle, cycling or walking.
Doors and aisle width, step heights, interior floors, seating configuration and revenue collection all impact on accessibility.
For the purpose of this standard, it is assumed that boarding and revenue
collection for all passengers of any mobility, including those using wheelchairs, is
through the front door. Alighting and any electronic revenue system using ‘tag
on–tag off’ may be through either door, although the NZTA is aware that some
regional councils currently intend to restrict electronic ticketing system ‘tag on’ to
the front door only.
Note: The requirements for minimum dimensions are given in the Passenger Service Vehicles Rule and the ones below are in addition.
3.2 Doors
Number of doors
| Small bus (SB) | 1 |
| Medium bus (MB) | 1 Note: Two desirable if over 30 seats |
| Large bus (LB) | Note: Bus operators may apply to the NZTA for an‘exemption’ to the two-door requirements for larger
vehicles (LB) that will be specifically used on longer distance
urban express/limited stop style services
providing they will be fitted with superior semi-coach style
seating. Supporting concurring evidence from the
appropriate regional council will be required. If subsequently to be used on other urban services, they would need to meet this standard. |
Location of doors
Front door must be as close to the front of the bus as possible, preferably forward of the front axle and immediately opposite and in full view of the driver.
Widths of doors
| Clear space excluding any grab handles on the door. | |
|---|---|
| Front door SB | >850 mm single |
| MB/LB | >1000 mm double |
| Rear door | >700 mm single |
3.3 Step height/depths
Height
| First step | Measured from the ground to top of step nosing (without kneeling in operation) |
| SB | < 300 mm |
| MB/LB | Front <350 mm Rear <360 mm With kneeling: Front <280 mm |
| Any additional steps including aisle or seat plinths | Steps (maximum two) <220 mm Plinths <200 mm Step depths >300mm |
3.4 Floors
Non-slip flooring material, with contrasting colours for front and rear door entry/exit areas and wheelchair and priority seating areas. (See section six.)
| SB | Flat floor from front entry to rear of priority seating area and desirably to immediately forward of rear axle. |
| MB/LB | Flat floor from front entry to rear door or immediately to front
of rear axle if only one door, no seat plinths. Behind the rear door or rear axle stepped (maximum two) or sloping floors are acceptable. |
A gradual transverse axis sloped area in the front entrance to the edge of the flat
paying area adjacent to the driver is permitted but not preferred.
Maximum slope <5 degrees.
3.5 Aisle width
Front door entrance, fare paying and turning area, and unimpeded through to rear of priority seating area – >760 mm.
Rear of priority seating area for remainder of flat floor area/to rear door –>440 mm.
3.6 Seating configuration
The NZTA appreciates that different urban operations and chassis design configurations may demand different seating configurations and so forward (preferred choice for most passengers), rearward and inward-facing single, wide single mother and child, double and wider three or more person bench style are all acceptable.
However, to ensure passenger confidence along the route as well as speedy accessibility, the seating layout should include forward-facing seats as follows:
- >60 percent of the seated capacity of the bus, may be towards the rear, plus
- >50 percent of the seats in the priority area.
To increase the standing/seated passenger ratio and to facilitate wheelchairs, forward, rearward fold-up as well as inward-facing fixed or fold-up seats may also be fitted forward of the rear axle including the priority seating area.
Any fold-up seats are to be designed so they can be folded up unaided by any person with a disability or in a wheelchair.
There is no requirement that the seat unlocking mechanism should be capable of being operated by a person with a disability or in a wheelchair but it must be such that most able passengers can release the mechanism.
See section six for further details related to priority seating and wheelchair carriage.
Seat spacing between forward-facing seats should be >670 mm.
Inward-facing seats must have a clear space to the aisle when in use.
Seat height:
- The height from the floor to the top of the front of the seat cushion should be >400 mm and <500 mm.
The height to the top of the seat back excluding any grab handle should be >900 mm.
Last updated: 21 August 2008
