GWR bans e-scooters from stations due to safety fears
Customers will no longer be able to take e-scooters on to Great Western Railway trains or stations which the company operates from Sunday, May 21.
This will include Oxford[1] railway station.
The company said it was concerned over the fire risk posed by lithium batteries.
In an update to its policy, it said: “This follows a number of incidents on the UK rail and tube network where lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters have been associated with severe overheating, increasing the risk of fire.
“If unchecked, this carries particular risks in enclosed spaces on board trains.”
The firm said the ban was because of the current lack of regulation around e-scooters.
READ ALSO: New temporary bus stop on Botley Road closure site[3]
A statement from the rail company said: “Unlike other personal mobility devices such as e-bikes or mobility scooters, e-Scooters are not currently regulated, and are not required to meet minimum safety standards for vehicles.”
After May 21, customers bringing e-scooters on GWR trains or stations will be asked to leave.
Any unattended e-scooters will be treated as abandoned and will be safely disposed of.
GWR is the latest train operator or transport authoriy to clamp down on people carrying the machines onboard trains or at stations.
A total of 10 other major UK transport operators, including Transport for London and rail firms Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and East Midlands Railway have all banned e-scooters over safety concerns.
In many cases, the bans also extend to similar machines including e-hoverboards, e-unicycles and e-skateboards.
References
- ^ Oxford (www.bicesteradvertiser.net)
- ^ Shoppers duped into thinking £5 notes on floor (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ READ ALSO: New temporary bus stop on Botley Road closure site (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)