Hoverboards banned on Metro

Hoverboards Banned
LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Beginning Monday, hoverboards and other self-
balancing electronic devices will not be permitted aboard Metrolink trains,
officials with the Southern California commuter railroad said today.
“This is a proactive step we’ve taken to ensure the safety of our
passengers,” Metrolink spokeswoman Sherita Coffelt told City News Service.
“There have been concerns voiced about these devices catching fire and blowing
up, and until there are more studies done, we’re not going to allow them on the
trains.”
Coffelt said that Metrolink executives made the decision to bar
hoverboards last week following informal discussions. The matter has not been
addressed by the agency’s Board of Directors, she said.
According to Coffelt, there have been no reported injury accidents
involving hoverboards and other self-levitating products on Metrolink trains or
at its 55 stations.
“We just felt it was prudent to take this action now to prevent
anything from happening,” she told CNS.
Hoverboards function like skateboards but operate using electromagnets,
rotors and other advanced technology.
Coffelt said that if passengers board trains with their boards,
Metrolink personnel will ask them to step off. The devices will not be seized,
however.
“They may not be able to ride,” the Metrolink spokeswoman said.
“We’ll try to work with them and give them the option of returning to take
another train.”