E-scooters have been banned from Merseyrail trains and stations due to fears of the "volatile" nature of their batteries.
Merseyrail introduced the ban from today, January 30 amid concerns that the scooters are fire hazards due to the batteries they use. The train operator said e-scooter battery packs are damaged frequently due to the "proximity of the pack to the road surface" which increases the chances of them catching fire.
The ban does not affect mobility scooters or electric mobility aids. A spokesperson for Merseyrail said these vehicles are regulated so are not considered a fire risk. E-bikes are also regulated to higher standards so the ban does not include them either.
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The ban on e-scooters is being introduced on all railways across the UK. TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast introduced the ban in December last year.
Jane English, Merseyrail acting manager director, told the ECHO: "The safety of our passengers and staff is the top priority for us. The risk of fire or fumes associated with e-scooters is significant. This is why we are banning them at our stations and onboard our trains.
"Many other train companies across the UK are also banning e-scooters, including TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, Grand Central, LNER, Lumo, Transport for London, Transport for Wales, and the Tyne and Wear Metro.
"We ask passengers to adhere to these rules and follow the instructions of Merseyrail staff helping to enforce our rules and regulations, so we can keep everyone safe."
Anyone entering a Merseyrail station or train with an e-scooter will be asked to remove the vehicle. Merseyrail said it won't allow the storage of e-scooters anywhere on its network.
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