E-scooters and certain other forms of personal mobility transport are not permitted on East Midlands Railway’s trains or within our stations.
This is because of the fire risk posed by the batteries in the device and is consistent with bans introduced by many other train operating companies.
FAQ's
- Non-electric scooters
- Mobility scooters/aids - These must comply with our mobility scooter guidance. Find out more on our assisted travel page
- Electric bikes - However they must not be charged onboard
Please note that petrol scooters and mopeds are NOT permitted onboard. This is due to the safety risk of carrying petrol onboard trains.
Other ‘Personal Mobility Transport (PMT)’ such as hoverboards and e-skateboards are also not permitted on our trains.
Safety is our number one priority, so we (and many other train operators) believe e-scooters, and other PMT 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 East Midlands Railway the right to refuse to carry them.
The Railway Byelaws contain several provisions which may be used to enforce this requirement if necessary.
No. Mobility scooters are still welcome onboard our trains with a current scooter card issued by our Customer Service Team, please visit our assisted travel page for more information.
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.
You may not enter an East Midlands Railway station or travel on an East Midlands Railway 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 PMT 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 East Midlands Railway station premises and will not be accepted as lost property at an East Midlands Railway location.
We will permit e-scooters to be stored within some external cycle hubs, but will not permit them within cycle hubs located within station buildings (such as at Sheffield and Leicester).
Stations that have external shelters/ storage include Alfreton, Alsager, Ambergate, Ancaster, Aslockton, Attenborough, Beeston, Belper, Blythe Bridge, Boston, Bottesford, Burton-on-Trent, Chesterfield, Collingham, Corby, Creswell, Derby, Duffield, East Midlands Parkway, Fiskerton, Heckington, Hinckley, Hubberts Bridge, Hykeham, Ilkeston, Kettering, Kidsgrove, Langley Mill, Leicester, Lincoln, Long Eaton, Longport, Longton, Loughborough, Mansfield Town, Mansfield Woodhouse, Market Harborough, Market Rasen, Matlock, Matlock Bath, Melton Mowbray, Metheringham, Netherfield, Newark Castle, Nottingham, Ruskington, Saxilby, Sheffield, Shirebrook, Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding, Spondon, Stamford, Sutton Parkway, Swinderby, Swineshead, Syston, Thorpe Culvert, Tutbury & Hatton, Uttoxeter, Wainfleet, Wellingborough, Whatstandwell and Whitwell
Whilst these restrictions apply on EMR, there may be different restrictions on other train operators. For further guidance check with the train operator before travelling.