A rail service is banning all e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards on trains and stations amid fears they could cause a fire. Northern is introducing the ban across its trains and stations in the North of England from Thursday.
They say this is due to the "potential fire risk posed by the lithium batteries in these devices, which can overheat and catch fire". Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban – as are mobility scooters for those with access needs, as long as they are registered with the train operator’s Mobility Scooter Permit Scheme – which checks devices by a range of criteria to make sure they are safe to use on-board.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority. As these devices have become more and more popular, so have the horror stories of lithium batteries overheating and catching fire."
She said most of the devices are not approved for use in the UK and added: "Our staff will refuse travel to anyone attempting to board one of our trains, or access one of our stations with such a device.”
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. On Sunday, December 11, Northern’s new timetable comes into effect and all customers, especially those who have made regular journeys on the same train times, are advised to check online journey planners before they travel to ensure their service operates at the same time and calls at the same stations.
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