E-scooters being banned from Southern and Southeastern trains

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said that from June 1, all e-scooters, e-unicycles, e-skateboards and hoverboards will be banned from its network.

People will not be allowed to bring them on Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern services. Southeastern and South Western Railway will also be banning e-scooters from next Thursday.

It comes following a number of incidents on railway lines where the lithium-ion batteries overheat which can cause “fires, explosions and toxic gas to be released”.

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The rail operator said many of the e-scooters are “cheaply made and unregulated” which poses a risk to passengers and staff at stations.

Jenny Saunders, GTR’s customer services director, said: “In line with most other UK train operating companies and Rail Delivery Group advice, from June 1 we will not allow e-scooters or similar devices on trains or stations.

“Too many e-scooters have poor-quality lithium batteries that do not comply with European standards and make them a serious safety hazard, with the risk of explosion, fire and release of poisonous gas.”

File picture of e-scooter (Image: File picture)

Passengers who arrive at a GTR station with an e-scooter, e-unicycle, e-skateboard or hoverboard will be asked to return without the device and directed to an alternative train. These devices cannot be stored at GTR stations and will not be accepted as lost property.

However, e-bikes and mobility scooters are still allowed on-board GTR’s trains, as they meet a minimum legal standard, but cannot be charged on trains or at stations.