From 30 January 2023, E-scooters are not permitted on Merseyrail stations and trains.
The reason for this decision, is due to the need to keep our passengers safe. E-scooters present a potential fire hazard owing to the type of batteries they use.
This does not affect users of mobility scooters, electric mobility aids and E-bikes as these vehicles are highly regulated and are not considered a risk. You can find out more about Merseyrail’s policy on mobility vehicles and aids here.
This policy is being introduced by all railway operators across the UK.
Anybody entering Merseyrail stations or trains with an e-scooter will be politely asked to remove their vehicle from the network.
Merseyrail will not allow the storage of e-scooters anywhere on the network.
Our FAQs about the e-scooter ban can be found here, with further safety travel tips available here.
E-scooters are not permitted on Merseyrail trains or within Merseyrail stations.
This is due to the fire safety threat scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries pose.
The ban of e-scooters for travel on Merseyrail trains (and across most train operators) is in due to concerns regarding fire risks of the batteries in the device.
Electric mobility vehicles that aid disabled people are allowed on Merseyrail trains. These must comply with our mobility scooter guidance.
• Non-electric scooters
• Mobility scooters/aids - These must comply with our mobility scooter guidance.
• Electric bikes - However they must not be charged onboard
Yes, you can bring an e-bike (EPAC standard) on board the train as long as it is not charging.
This is because EPAC standard e-bikes are legal to use in the UK and have to meet a minimum legal standard compared to e-scooters. Details about what qualifies as an EPAC can be found on the government website.
Petrol scooters and mopeds are not permitted onboard. This is due to the safety risk of carrying petrol onboard trains.
E-bikes are regulated and follow more stringent rules than E-scooters, meaning they offer minimal risk of fire, unlike e-scooters. Battery packs on e-scooters are frequently damaged because of the proximity of the pack to the road surface, and this increases the instances of them catching on fire.
Safety is our number one priority, so we (and many other train operators) believe e-scooters, and other items such as hoverboards, pose a relevant fire risk due to potential ‘thermal runaway’ of the battery.
Recent incidents associated with faulty, or unregulated, lithium batteries show the risk these batteries pose of catching fire, after severe overheating.
Once the thermal runaway reaction has started there is no way of stopping it or extinguishing the fire until the reaction has finished. A large amount of potentially toxic smoke is emitted and jets of flame are often produced.
The result of such a malfunction onboard a train could cause serious harm to passengers and staff.
Paragraph 23.5 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel stipulates e-scooters as an item only permitted by the discretion of individual railway companies and as such gives Merseyrail the right to refuse to carry them.
The Railway Byelaws contain several provisions which may be used to enforce this requirement if necessary.
You may not enter a Merseyrail station or travel on a Merseyrail service with an e-scooter. If you arrive at a station with one, we will ask you to return without your e-scooter and we will work to get you on an alternative service.
From a safety point of view, we are unable to check all e-scooters or similar vehicles, so for consistency a blanket ban will be in place.
The current industry information is that most privately owned e-scooters are not approved for use in the UK as they are not legal for use anywhere other than private property.
We will continue to review this policy as and when we obtain further information from the industry.
No, e-scooters may not be stored on Merseyrail station premises and will not be accepted as lost property at a Merseyrail location.
Hoverboards and e-skateboards are not permitted on Merseyrail trains.