Irizar is responding to the changing demands of the coach industry by offering factory-conversions to meet the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) standard on new and used, Irizar i6 and i6S UK vehicles.

At a time when the markets for traditional tour and holiday services are still depressed, many coach operators are reporting increasing demand from contract customers for PSVAR-compliant vehicles in sectors such as rail-replacement and education. PSVAR vehicles are wheelchair-accessible and fitted with destination signage.

Conversions at Irizar’s factory in Spain include a Masats KS7 cassette type semi-automatic wheelchair lift in luggage compartment, a wheelchair door, floor tracking with a Tecam quick-release seat system and appropriate restraints, enabling the carriage of one wheelchair as well as front, side and rear Hanover destination signage.

Irizar conversion include a “finite element” engineering body frame study, implicating all required modifications and reinforcements to ensure a long lasting solution without impacting ECE R66 roll over regulation.

All the vehicles converted at Irizar will be supplied with a Certificate of Approval and carry a two-year Irizar guarantee on the conversion.

First vehicle has already been completed at the factory and a programme, including a mix of stock vehicles and customer own fleet coaches is commencing immediately to fulfil the growing demand.

Operators interested in this PSVAR conversion on Irizar i6 and i6S vehicles can contact Irizar UK for more information. www.irizar.co.uk

PSVAR requires vehicles with a passenger capacity of 22 or more on scheduled services to be accessible to wheelchair users, and show clear destination information.

Rail replacement vehicles must be compliant by 20 December 2020, although some contracts already insist on it. For home-to-school services it becomes compulsory by the end of July 2021.