For many people, being able to get about is important. But sometimes it’s not that easy. Perhaps you’re carrying heavy shopping bags, pushing a pram or have an injured leg. Even if you have a visual impairment or use a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, getting about can be more difficult.
To make travelling by bus as easy as possible, accessible bus stops and suitable buses are important. For example, the bus should not have any steps and the doors must be wide enough. Unfortunately, not all bus stops and buses are fully accessible yet.
We therefore recommend that you check before you set off. This will allow you to check whether your starting point and destination are accessible and whether there is a suitable bus service on your route.
Staying safe on the road with your electric mobility scooter
We organised a workshop to enable our drivers to provide better support to passengers using electric mobility scooters. The workshop was led by Patrik Werner, Managing Director of the medical supplies shop Werner und Habermalz in Goslar.
The workshop addressed these questions, amongst others:
- Which mobility scooters are allowed on buses?
- How do you get on the bus safely?
- Where should an electric scooter be parked on the bus?
An electric vehicle must meet the following requirements
Uniform rules have been in force across the country since 2017. Your electric scooter may be taken on a bus if it meets the following conditions:
- It has four wheels.
- It has at least one parking brake.
- The maximum total weight, including the driver, is 300 kilograms.
- It is no more than 120 centimetres long.
- You can drive onto the bus in reverse.
You can recognise suitable electric mobility scooters by a special seal. It features a wheelchair and a bus inside a divided circle.
How to get on the bus properly
If you’re travelling by electric mobility scooter, reverse into the bus. Once inside the bus, park the scooter facing away from the direction of travel in the designated area.
If this space is already occupied by a rollator or a pushchair and there is no longer enough space, the following applies: whoever arrives first may use the space.
The decision is made by the driving crew
During the workshop, various electric vehicles were presented. The session explained the key points to bear in mind when transporting them safely.
There are as yet no definitive guidelines covering all the technical details. Transport operators may therefore impose additional requirements. Ultimately, it is up to the driver to decide whether an electric mobility scooter can be carried safely.
Our tip
If you are travelling in a wheelchair or on a mobility scooter, it is best to book your journey in advance by telephone with our service centre in Goslar. That way, we can arrange for an accessible bus for you where possible. If your bus stop is not accessible, we will be happy to advise you and suggest a suitable stop nearby.