Private e-scooters banned on London’s public transport over fire concerns

Privately owned e-scooters will be banned on all Transport for London (TfL) services from next week after an exploding battery caused a fire on a busy Tube service.

Emergency services had to be called to extinguish a blaze last month after an e-scooter's lithium battery exploded and left smoke billowing throughout the train – prompting an immediate review by the transit operator.

Customers in possession of e-scooters or e-unicycles will not be permitted to enter any premises on TfL’s network or travel on any of its services, including on the Tube, buses, Overground, TfL Rail, Trams and DLR.

“Our primary concern is always for the safety of our customers and staff," said Lilli Matson,...