2025 California Standards for Accessible Design Guide (effective January 1, 2026)

5. Transportation Vehicles

On December 14, 2016, the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buses and Vans was published in the Federal Register. The final rule became effective on January 13, 2017. The Access Board issued an advance notice for public commend on an update of guidelines for rail cars on February 14, 2020. From the Board’s website:

“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires access to new or remanufactured transportation vehicles, including buses and vans, rail cars, automated guideway vehicles, trams, and similar vehicles. Vehicles covered by the ADA must comply with standards issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT). These standards are based on the Board’s original ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles (1991). Regulations issued by DOT under the ADA apply these standards and indicate which vehicles are required to comply. DOT’s ADA regulations also address transportation service and facilities.

The Access Board updated its accessibility guidelines for buses and vans in 2016. These updated provisions are not yet part of DOT’s enforceable vehicle standards. The Board is also updating its guidelines for rail cars.”

More information can be found on the Access Board’s website at https://www.access-board.gov/ada/vehicles/.