A shocking video posted online shows an e-scooter on fire being thrown out
of a District line train as it entered Parsons Green station on Monday
evening (November 1).

Passengers can be heard coughing and gasping for air as smoke escapes the carriages following the e-scooter catching fire onboard the train. Tube
worker unions say they have been warning TfL about the dangers of
e-scooters across the network but have not seen any action being taken.

This incident comes within days of a similar incident on the Jubilee line
on October 26, where another e-scooter exploded in the station supervisor's office.

Legislation regarding e-scooters is in a grey area as there is no specific
law designed for their usage. A central government-run TfL-backed 12 month e-scooter trial is currently five months in, with the hope that its results will influence future legislation to better regulate this new mode of transport.

Existing laws mean it is illegal to use private e-scooters anywhere apart
from on private land with a driving licence although they can be carried
about. The law is regularly flouted despite those who break it risking six points on their licences.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed it intervened at Parsons Green and that
it was able to attend, extinguish and leave the scene within 28 minutes.
The train had not been significantly damaged and one passenger was treated
for smoke inhalation.

TSSA Organising Director, representing the Tube workers union, Lorraine
Ward, said: “Without doubt the incident at Parsons Green raises very
serious concerns. It’s becoming all too clear that e-scooters pose a significant threat to the traveling public, our members and all workers at
TfL.

“There should be an immediate halt to transporting them on all TfL services until more research into these batteries has been carried out.

“I’m therefore urging TfL to fully enforce the already existing ban on the use of e-scooters. Indeed, a further ban across the wider travel network
should be considered by the Secretary of State for Transport.

“What happened at Parsons Green and recently at Stanmore must be properly investigated as soon as possible. Safety on our transport network will
always be our union’s number one priority, there can be no compromises on that.”

In response, a TfL spokesperson said: “We completely understand how
worrying it was for our customers and staff when an e-scooter caught alight
on a train. Emergency services attended Parsons Green station and the
e-scooter was removed at the first opportunity.

"While incidents like this are very rare, we take safety on the network extremely seriously and are undertaking a full review, which includes
liaising with the London Fire Brigade.

"It is forbidden to ride e-scooters at stations or on trains, and failure
to comply with this by-law is a criminal offence. E-scooters may currently
be carried but must be folded for the entirety of the journey.”

TfL has recently stepped up the number of posters across the network
reminding passengers of the rules on conveying e-scooters.

[Shocking pictures and video in the online report]

<https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/london-underground-shocking-video-shows-22065642>

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