£800,000 of government funding will be allocated across four selected projects to improve accessibility on rail replacement coaches for disabled people.

The confirmed funding will help to roll out audible and visible information for passengers onboard coach services, which are not always standard or available on coach rail replacement services, even though they might be on trains. This means that some passengers, especially those with visual and cognitive impairments, are left without the support they need to travel confidently and independently.

The four projects that were awarded funding were selected following an Innovate UK competition, which combined established solutions with newer technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and a new Bluetooth feature, Auracast, to deliver real-time information in various accessible formats.

These projects are expected to be completed by March 2026.

Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: "There are around 16 million disabled people in the UK and many depend on coach services to get around. It’s vital that these services provide clear, accessible information for everyone, particularly on rail replacement journeys where the route and stops can change.

"To help rail replacement coach operators make this transition smoothly, we are providing £800,000 of funding as part of the government’s Plan for Change to explore technology that helps all passengers, regardless of their needs, travel with confidence and independence. Public transport should be accessible for all and we’re committed to making that a reality – clearing away barriers to growth."