MBTA Bans Hoverboards On All Property

According to a statement by the MBTA, the popular but controversial toy called Hoverboards are officially banned on all trains, platforms, buses, and commuter boats as of Tuesday, May 24.

Following a number of highly publicized incidents nationwide involving Hoverboards including fires, explosions, and injuries, the MBTA took the action to ban them from all MBTA property. The risk assessment considered findings, recommendations, and corrective actions that parallel other transit systems in America, according to the MBTA.

All MBTA subway and bus personnel have been informed that any passenger with a Hoverboard is not allowed onboard any MBTA vehicle.

“Hoverboards can catch fire. Failures in the Lithium-ion battery that powers such devices are the root cause of the self-combusting fires. Battery failures are caused by issues ranging from external abuse to cell manufacturing. Currently, there are no safety standards regulating the design and manufacturing of these devices in the United States,” according to the MBTA statement. “MBTA rules do not allow articles of an inflammable or explosive nature to be carried into any station or into or upon any passenger vehicle.”

Transit systems in New York, California, and Chicago, as well as some major domestic airlines, have already taken measures to restrict customers with Hoverboards from boarding their vehicles.

“A potential fire ignited by a Hoverboard can expose customers to smoke and toxic gas, which can result in injury or death. They also increase the risk of personal injury to riders due to falls, collisions, as well as the possibility of falling into the train pit,” the MBTA explained.

The MBTA said they would inform customers of the new restrictions by placing signs in stations, trains, and buses. The MBTA will also use their 80 digital display panels around the city to inform the public of the law.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Egnaczyk via Flickr