European Accessibility Act for Public Transport in Ireland

General information on the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

  • European Accessibility Act requirements of Products and Services S.I. No. 636 of 2023 – was passed by Minister Roderick O’Gorman.
  • The Minister for the Department of CEDIY has appointed the NTA as the Monitoring Authority of bus, rail, tram and marine Services on the EAA.
  • The Minister for the Department of CEDIY has appointed the Competition and Consumer Protection and Commission as the Monitoring Authoring of Products on the EAA.

 

Summary of the new legislation

Here is a summary of key points relating to the new legislation.

What does this mean?

There were already EU Regulations regarding accessibility in existence:

  • EU Directive 301 549 – which includes WCAG requirements for Websites and Apps
  • EU Directive 2019/882 – Accessibility Requirements for Products and Services.

This gives directions on what functional aspects need to be included to make Transport services accessible.

What are the Functional Requirements?

In synopsis it means how does a person use a service if they have:

  • no or limited vision,
  • no perception of colour
  • limited or no hearing
  • no voice capability
  • limited reach, manipulation or strength
  • Limited cognition
  • Seizures triggered by visual operations

This new Act allows for the monitoring and enforcement for non-compliance.

What & When?

2025
(June 28th)		 All relevant products and services procured must be accessible
2030 Services must stop using inaccessible products which were already in use before 2025
2030 First report to the European Commission on the Act and every 5 years after must send a report of progress and every 5 years after.
2045 Any self-service terminals that were purchased before 28 June, 2025 must be taken out of service after their 28 year shelf life.

Who is affected?

  • Bus Operators
  • Rail & Tram Operators
  • Commercial Bus Operators
  • TFI Local Link Operators
  • Waterborne Passenger Services Operators

 

What is included?

The regulations apply to these services.

  • Websites
  • Apps
  • Electronic services
  • Transport Services Information
  • RTPI
  • Interactive self-service terminals (does not include those within the vehicles themselves)
  • Audio visual media services e.g.) videos captions etc.

More details can be found at National Disability Act EU Act

 

How does it work?

A service provider shall ensure that a service provided is designed and provided in accordance with the applicable accessibility requirements, mentioned above.

Where the service is not compliant, they immediately inform the NTA and give details, of the non-compliance and of the corrective measures that will be taken.

Where the service is not in conformity with the applicable accessibility requirements, the Service Provider shall take the corrective measures necessary to bring that service into conformity.

The Transport Provider can claim not to be able to comply with the accessibility regulations as it is defined if:

  • It is a Microenterprise Business: If your business employs fewer than 10 persons and has an annual turnover not exceeding €2 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million, it is a microenterprise.
  • It would cause a “Disproportionate Burden” which means:
    • require a significant change service concerned that results in the fundamental alteration of its basic nature, or
    • result in a disproportionate burden on the economic operator concerned.

 

Contact Details:

Email:                  euaccessibility@nationaltransport.ie
Telephone:         (01) 879 8300
Post:                    National Transport Authority
European Accessibility Act,
Haymarket House,
Smithfield,
Dublin 7,
DO7 CF98.

 

For Information on Accessibility

European Commission