Electric scooter ban on trains and buses in Laois next month

Electric scooters are being banned from trains and TFI buses in Laois in a fortnight. 

Irish Rail / Iarnrod Eireann issued a notice on its social media stating that e-scooters would not be permitted on trains from Monday, October 7, 2024. 

“E-scooters are not allowed on board TFI services from 7th October,” the notice stated 

TFI has issued a statement explaining why they have taken the measure. 

“Public transport operators are to prohibit the carriage of e-scooters for safety reasons and to help prevent the risk of combustion on board buses and trains. This includes those that can be folded or carried, according to a guidance document published today by the National Transport Authority (NTA),” they stated. 

It said  the ban will apply to e-scooters but not e-bikes or mobility scooters.

“E-scooters are a relatively new product and were unregulated in Ireland until earlier this year. The quality control of their construction is therefore not as mature or well developed as e-bikes and mobility scooters, which have been regulated for longer. The tested batteries of e-bikes and mobility scooters do not pose the same level of risk,” TFI stated. 

They said  the restriction is subject to periodic review by the NTA and the transport operators.

“The guidance is prompted by safety concerns in relation to many lithium-ion batteries which are commonplace in such devices. These batteries are known to develop internal faults, leading to overheating and combustion. This has resulted in recent fires and thick black smoke on board public transport in Madrid and Barcelona,” according to TFI. 

They pointed to similar restrictions in place in Berlin, Barcelona, and the UK.

The ban applies on Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Luas and TFI Local Link.

“This guidance applies to all services operated under a contract with the NTA, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, Luas and TFI Local Link,” TFI stated.