Are Electric Scooters Allowed on Buses?
Are Electric Scooters Allowed on Buses?
Introduction: The rising demand for electric scooters in the US is raising confusion among travelers. They are unsure if they can travel with an electric scooter on buses. To resolve the matter, we conducted an in-depth analysis of 200 bus companies to ascertain their policies about electric scooters. The results were mixed—some have relaxed policies allowing the onboarding of electric scooters with certain conditions. However, some companies have a zero-tolerance policy, prohibiting electric scooters on buses entirely. For more details, check out our previous post.
Our findings are crystal clear and without ambiguity. The guidelines clearly state companies that allow electric scooters on buses, specified conditions for taking electric scooters along, and things travelers must remember before boarding the bus with electric scooters.
Key Statistics
- 54.5% of USA Bus companies permit onboarding lightweight and foldable electric scooters. Companies permitting electric scooters on buses require them to be compact enough after folding to fit easily in assigned areas such as luggage compartments.
- 35% of Bus companies decline the electric scooters on buses primarily due to safety concerns and limited space.
- 10.5% of Bus companies pursue conditional protocols. Some companies grant permission contingent on certain factors, e.g., relaxing policies for ADA vehicles or service locations.
In-Depth Analysis
Foldable scooters have greater acceptance
Reason: Foldability remains the top criterion for onboarding electric scooters on buses. Since bus storage spaces are very compact, it is easier to accommodate foldable and portable electric scooters.Results: The survey showed that 54.5% of bus companies easily allow electric scooters on buses as long as they are compact enough after folding to adjust in luggage space.
Supporting ADA vehicles
Reason: Several companies reported that electric scooters have bus-on-boarding permission, subject to specific conditions, such as booking an ADA-compliant vehicle.
Results: Ten percent of our sample size, i.e., bus companies, indicated that travelers with e-scooters must pre-book ADA-compliant vehicles. Ensuring the bus has enough space should be their priority.
35% of Companies say NO
Reason: Buses' prime motive is to transport travelers from one place to another, rather than electric scooters. The limited space capacity to accommodate electric scooters of varying sizes, weights, and dimensions is the main deterrent to permission.
Results: Around 35% of the bus companies we surveyed simply declined to carry electric scooters on buses because of safety concerns and storage limitations.
| Website | Company Name | Sender Email | Allowed (Yes/No) | Guide | Short Message |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://gt-tours.com/ | GT Tours | fostertom1@live.com | Yes | I have not encountered the situation, yet | Probably. I have not encountered the situation yet. |
| lavdas.com | Lavdas Limousine | limousines@lavdas.com | No | We cannot have Escooters | We cannot have e-scooters on board our vehicles |
| mintlifelimo.com | Mint Life Limo | info@mintlifelimo.com | Yes | We require a booking for an ADA vehicle | The quick answer is yes passengers with e-scooters are allowed, but we require a booking for an ADA vehicle. |
| bbbus.com | Best Bus | support@bbbus.com | Yes | We can ship scooters at $20 | We can ship scooters at $20 per scooter and they travel separately. |
| hrtransit.org | Heartland Regional Transit | customerservice@hrtransit.org | No | Does not allow electric scooters | Does not allow electric scooters on its vehicles |
| rome2rio.com | Rome2Rio | contact@rome2rio.com | No | No e-scooters allowed | They do not allow electric scooters in any vehicles |
| tripperbus.com | Tripper Bus | support@tripperbus.com | Yes | We allow folding e-scooters | Folding e-scooters are allowed on board |
| ztrip.com | Ztrip | support@ztrip.com | No | No escooters | We do not allow electric scooters in our vehicles |
| lorenzbus.com | Lorenz Bus | contact@lorenzbus.com | Yes | Allowed if folded | Scooters must be folded |
| landline.com | Landline | support@landline.com | Yes | Allowed in luggage compartment | Scooters can be stored in the luggage compartment |
| firstclasstours.net | First Class Tours | info@firstclasstours.net | Yes | Allowed in luggage bay | We allow electric scooters to be stored in the luggage bay |
| phoenixbuscharters.com | Phoenix Bus Charters | info@phoenixbuscharters.com | Yes | Can be stored in luggage bays | We can store scooters in the luggage bays of the bus |
| abdtours.com | ABD Tours | support@abdtours.com | It depends | If it fits the luggage space | If the scooter fits in the luggage space, it will be allowed |
| highlinecharter.com | Highline Charter | support@highlinecharter.com | No | Drivers are not permitted | Drivers are not permitted to allow electric scooters onboard |
| handivanrides.com | Handivan Rides | info@handivanrides.com | Yes | Allowed with fee | Escooter is allowed at $10 per scooter |
| michiganflyer.com | Michigan Flyer | info@michiganflyer.com | Depends | Depends on service location | That will depend on the location of the service |
| jackspartybus.com | Jack's Party Bus | support@jackspartybus.com | No | Not allowed | We do not allow electric scooters on or in the bus |
| ridegrtc.com | GRTC Transit System | customerservice@ridegrtc.com | Yes | Stored in storage compartment | We can store electric scooters in the storage compartment of the bus |
| sundiegocharter.com | Sun Diego Charter | support@sundiegocharter.com | Yes | Must be powered off and folded | Scooters must be powered off, collapsed/folded, and kept in luggage space |
| catchtransportation.com | Catch Transportation | info@catchtransportation.com | Yes | Stored in storage compartment | We can store scooters in the storage compartment of the bus |
| vamoosebus.com | Vamoose Bus | support@vamoosebus.com | Yes | Stored in storage compartment | We can store scooters in the storage compartment of the bus |
| aceluxury.com | Ace Luxury Transportation | info@aceluxury.com | Yes | Arrangements must be made beforehand | The passenger must make arrangements before traveling with an electric scooter |
| allaboardamerica.com | All Aboard America! | info@allaboardamerica.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| luxbusamerica.com | Lux Bus America | support@luxbusamerica.com | Yes | Stored underneath the bus | We have plenty of storage space underneath the bus for scooters |
| p-b.com | Premier Bus | info@p-b.com | Yes | Allowed if they fit and are stored safely | We allow scooters as long as they fit and are stored safely |
| neumannlimo.com | Neumann Limousine Service | info@neumannlimo.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| sunrisecharters.com | Sunrise Charters | info@sunrisecharters.com | Yes | Allowed if stored in luggage compartment | Scooters can be stored in the luggage compartment |
| greylinetours.com | Grey Line Tours | info@greylinetours.com | No | Mobility devices only | Mobility devices can be carried in the baggage compartment |
| torontobuscharter.com | Toronto Bus Charter | info@torontobuscharter.com | Yes | Stored in luggage compartment | Our Motor Coaches have storage bays underneath for scooters |
| coachcanada.com | Coach Canada | info@coachcanada.com | Yes | Stored underneath the bus | We have a space underneath the bus to carry scooters |
| megabus.com | Megabus | support@megabus.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| adventurecharters.com | Adventure Charters | info@adventurecharters.com | Yes | If folded before boarding | If the scooter can be folded before boarding, it is allowed |
| starlinetours.com | Starline Tours | info@starlinetours.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| explorerbus.com | Explorer Bus | info@explorerbus.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| greydogbus.com | Grey Dog Bus | info@greydogbus.com | Yes | Stored underneath | Customers can put scooters in the bus compartment |
| schoolbusinc.com | School Bus Inc | info@schoolbusinc.com | No | For special-needs children | We are a school bus company for special-needs children |
| oldtownshuttle.com | Old Town Shuttle | info@oldtownshuttle.com | No | Escooters are not allowed | Escooters are not allowed on our Trolley |
| silverlinetours.com | Silverline Tours | info@silverlinetours.com | Yes | Allowed if folded | If they are able to fold in any way to maximize space |
| trilakestransit.com | Tri Lakes Transit | info@trilakestransit.com | Yes | Max length and width restrictions | May not exceed 80 inches in length or 40 inches in width |
| mainelinetours.com | Maineline Tours | info@mainelinetours.com | No | No scooters allowed | We do not accommodate scooters on board |
| californiatours.com | California Tours | info@californiatours.com | Yes | If folded before boarding | If the scooter can be folded before boarding, it is allowed |
| alaskaadventuretours.com | Alaska Adventure Tours | info@alaskaadventuretours.com | Yes | If folded before boarding | If the scooter can be folded before boarding, it is allowed |
Conclusion
Our detailed evaluation of bus companies gives clear guidelines to electric scooter riders traveling on buses in the US. While two-thirds of bus companies permit foldable scooters, many have certain limitations on pre-booking needs and the volume of the scooter after folding. For a hassle-free and enjoyable ride, always check the bus company's policies. Regardless of journey duration, be it a short commute or a longer journey, knowing guidelines always helps.