This report covers research carried out to determine whether it would be appropriate to carry mobility scooters on public transport vehicles in the UK. Four-wheeled scooters are the most common form. Public transport operators are unclear whether to permit carriage: scooters within the size of the reference wheelchair are carried. Very few other countries have standards or policies. Scooters are currently carried on tram systems: rail companies see the restricted manoeuvrability of larger four-wheel scooters as a problem, especially on boarding ramps. Restraint systems are used in the USA and Canada on buses and coaches, although stability remains a concern. Scooters cannot be secured safely in most taxis and it is recommended that passengers transfer to a seat. Overall findings from the US suggest that regulated mobility scooters can be safely carried and should not pose problems on heavy or light rail stock, although three-wheel models may be less stable. More research is recommended, in the form of practical trials to investigate manoeuvrability, stability and methods of securing. Demand should also be assessed, and operator experiences should be researched. (Author/publisher)
Abstract