Transport leaders welcome mobility scooter guidance for trams

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Greater Manchester transport leaders have asked Metrolink officials to explore the introduction of a permit scheme to allow some mobility scooters on the tram network.

The move by the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee follows a national report that has finally provided guidance on how the scooters could be safely accommodated on the tram system.

The report – by Rica and commissioned by the Department for Transport into the carriage of mobility scooters on public transport – states that, of more than 300 different types of scooter, 22 could be accommodated on buses.

Officers will now review the vehicles and, where possible, assess their manoeuvrability on board a tram and on Metrolink’s raised platforms to ensure they are capable of boarding and alighting trams safely.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “We welcome the Rica report and have played an active part in its evolution.

“We clearly needed national guidance and called upon the DfT to provide a definitive position on scooters – much like there is a “reference” size for wheelchairs. This report now gives us that.

“Our focus will now be on addressing what type of scooter could be safely accommodated on Metrolink. This is a very welcome step forward and I look forward to progress being made on this in the coming months.”

Peter Cushing, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “We absolutely understand how this issue has affected how some people can travel but the safety of everyone using the Metrolink network is of paramount importance and the byelaws in place reflect this.

“There are more than 300 types of mobility scooter available, each with different sizes, weights and turning circles, and 22 have now been deemed to be suitable for use on buses. That means we can now work towards a way of introducing them on to the Metrolink network.

“Once we know which vehicles are suitable, we will explore the introduction of a permit system to manage their introduction on to the network and test the proficiency of applicants.”

A report on the proposed permit scheme and associated changes to Metrolink policies and byelaws will be presented to a future meeting of the TfGM Committee.