Renfe Implements Comprehensive Ban on Electric Scooters Across All Train Services
At its most recent session, the Renfe Board of Directors announced a sweeping policy change that restricts passenger access to electric scooters on the entire Renfe network. This includes Cercanías and Regional trains as well as High Speed lines and long-distance services such as AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Avant, and Euromed, with the prohibition taking effect on December 12. The stated rationale centers on safety concerns stemming from battery fires that have appeared in certain public transport vehicles due to factors like battery manipulation, impact damage, aging components, and incompatible charging practices. The decision aligns with a growing safety framework seen in various urban areas across Spain and Europe, where authorities have prioritized passenger and crew protection in the face of increasing incidents involving personal mobility devices. This move reflects a precautionary approach to prevent dangerous situations from arising mid-journey and to reduce the risk profile of electric mobility within rail systems, which are dense and high-demand environments.
Under the new policy, the ban extends to electric scooters, unicycles, and other personal mobility devices powered by batteries, with certain exceptions for vehicles designed for users with reduced mobility that may be allowed under specific assessable criteria. The Renfe Viajeros Board is expected to formalize these rules at a forthcoming session, underscoring the emphasis on public health and passenger safety. The measure resonates with similar restrictions enacted by multiple cities across Spain and other parts of Europe, where authorities have cited incidents of battery-related hazards in public transport. For example, the city of Seville restricted scooter access to metro services during peak weekday hours in 2021 in response to risk factors observed in crowded transit periods.
Earlier developments across regions reflect a broader pattern of action against personal mobility devices in rail contexts. In Catalonia, authorities barred access to scooters and related infrastructure following a November 2022 explosion involving a scooter on a Generalitat of Catalonia rail service. Madrid’s Regional Transport Consortium began enforcing a ban in public transport facilities and vehicles starting in November, extending a policy that mirrors concerns about safety with battery-powered devices near critical transit operations. These steps illustrate a continent-wide trend toward tighter controls on personal mobility in rail and metro environments, where the balance between convenient mobility and robust safety protocols is continually tested. (Sources: regional safety advisories, transport authorities)
Comparative measures in other markets show similar caution. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, several rail operators have restricted or prohibited electric scooters on trains, while major metro systems in cities such as London and Hamburg have imposed analogous rules. When Renfe’s policy takes effect, passengers may encounter procedures that involve removing items, luggage, or devices identified as safety risks from trains. At Cercanías stations managed by Renfe, the detection of an electric scooter on a proceeding train could trigger a formal ban, with random inspections potentially conducted by the presence of inspectors and security personnel to ensure compliance. The underlying aim is to safeguard the travel experience for all passengers and to maintain the reliability of services by preventing equipment or personal mobility devices from interfering with operations.