E-scooters will no longer be allowed onto Great Western Railway (GWR) trains or stations in a matter of days. The major rail operator, which is the main service provider along Bristol's railway line, said the ban is due to the potential fire risk.
A spokesperson for GWR said: “From Sunday May 21, 2023, customers will no longer be able to bring e-scooters onto GWR trains or stations. 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. Unlike other mobility devices such as e-bikes or mobility scooters, e-scooters are not currently regulated and are not required to meet minimum standards for vehicles.
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“Customers bringing e-scooters onto GWR trains or stations will be asked to leave. Unattended e-scooters will be treated as abandoned and will be safely disposed of."
Up until this month, GWR has allowed e-scooters to be taken on trains as long as the machines are folded and placed on the floor level of the bulk luggage compartment. The spokesperson confirmed the new policy will also apply to GWR staff and at all GWR premises.
GWR allows for mobility scooters to be taken on certain trains as long as the traveller has the necessary permit. The only exceptions are scooters which are more than 120cm long or 70cm wide and/or if the combined weight of the traveller and the scooter exceeds 300kg.
A traveller does not need a permit if the mobility scooter can be folded down so that it is no bigger than an average large suitcase. It should be able to fit into the luggage rack.
Bikes and e-bikes are permitted on GWR trains, but the rail operator recommends travellers make a bike reservation in advance if travelling on long distance Intercity Express Trains (IETs). When travelling on one of these trains, bikes are stored vertically on a hook in the dedicated bike compartment and for electric bikes, it is advisable to remove the battery to deter theft.
A full map of GWR's stations and routes, which includes Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway, can be found on its website.
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