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3/22/2016
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system in New York City announced yesterday that hoverboards will no longer be allowed in stations or on trains due to safety concerns related to the motorized skateboard-like scooters.PATH is the latest rail system to ban hoverboards following reports of the units exploding, smoking or bursting into flames. Although no incidents on PATH have been reported, the railroad's executives decided to be proactive and ban the units, PATH officials said in a press release."Across the nation, there have been reports of injuries and fires caused by these hoverboards, and we want to ensure the continued safety of our riders and employees," said PATH Director Michael Marino.PATH currently prohibits riders from using wheeled vehicles such as skateboards, skates or scooters in trains stations. Riders also are barred from possessing hazardous or flammable materials in the PATH system. The lithium-ion batteries used to power hoverboards pose the risk of fire.The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last month deemed hoverboards unsafe unless manufacturers meet Underwriters Laboratory safety requirements.Other U.S. mass transit systems have issued regulations and instituted bans on hoverboards, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.