Create National Safety and Accessibility Standards for Bus Stops and Stations

The Department for Transport is seeking a supplier to develop comprehensive national guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus stops and stations across England. This project addresses critical gaps in current infrastructure that prevent disabled passengers, women, and other vulnerable groups from using bus services confidently. Key issues include inconsistent stop design, poor accessibility features, inadequate lighting, and poor maintenance. The new guidance will establish clear, standardized requirements for how stopping places are designed, constructed, and maintained across England. The work is enabled by new powers under the Bus Services Act 2025 and will require extensive collaboration with local authorities, transport operators, disability representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure the guidance is practical, evidence-based, and achievable. The successful supplier will need strong expertise in transport accessibility, inclusive design, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. Deliverables are expected by the end of 2026. This is a significant opportunity to improve accessibility and safety for millions of bus passengers nationwide.