West Midlands Metro, the tram network linking Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, allows mobility scooters on board — but only with a permit issued in advance. The requirement applies specifically to this England tram operator and does not automatically transfer to other networks, each of which sets its own rules under its own conditions of carriage.
Why a permit is required
West Midlands Metro’s published scooter policy states that its trams have "100% low floor accessibility" with level boarding and space for two wheelchairs on every service, but that a scooter user "must obtain a permit before travelling." The permit exists so the operator can check, before the day of travel, that a specific scooter will fit safely into the wheelchair/scooter bay and can be manoeuvred on and off the tram without blocking the doors or the priority space reserved for wheelchair users.
The Class 2 size limits
Only Class 2 mobility scooters are accepted. The policy sets out maximum dimensions of 600mm in width and 1,000mm in length, with a maximum turning radius of 1,200mm. The scooter must also have three or four wheels, must not carry headlights or indicators, and its speed is treated as limited to a walking pace. Class 3 scooters, which are the larger, road-legal type designed for higher speeds on public roads, do not meet these requirements and are explicitly stated as not permitted to travel on the tram, regardless of the scooter’s actual size on the day.
How to apply and how long a permit lasts
To apply, passengers contact West Midlands Metro’s Scooter Permit Applications team by email, webform or post, giving the make and model of their scooter. The operator says it aims to respond within 10 working days with an approval or rejection. An approved application results in a permit issued as a credit card–style identification card, which remains valid for five years from the date of issue — so a successful applicant does not need to reapply before every journey, only when the permit expires or the scooter is replaced with a different model.
What happens without a permit
Because the scheme is a precondition of travel rather than a courtesy check, a scooter user who boards without a permit has not met the tram operator’s conditions of carriage for that mobility aid, and staff may decline to allow travel. Applying in good time before a planned journey, rather than turning up on the day, is the only route the published process allows for scooter travel on this network. Anyone planning a specific journey, such as a hospital appointment or a family visit, should build the ten-working-day response window into their planning rather than assuming same-week approval.
Practical points before you travel
Because the permit is tied to a specific scooter’s make and model, buying or hiring a different scooter after approval means reapplying rather than assuming the existing permit still applies. The five-year validity period also means it is worth diarising the renewal date, since an expired permit carries the same practical effect as never having applied.
Frequently asked questions
Does the permit cost anything? West Midlands Metro’s own policy page does not mention a fee for the assessment or the permit card itself; contact the operator directly to confirm current arrangements before applying.
Can I use my Class 3 scooter if I fold or reduce it? The published policy draws the line at scooter class and the measured dimensions, not at temporary adjustments, so a Class 3 scooter is described as not permitted regardless of any modification.
What if my scooter is Class 2 but slightly over the size limits? The policy states the maximum figures as fixed criteria for assessment; a scooter outside them should not be assumed to be acceptable without confirmation from West Midlands Metro.
Who do I contact with questions? West Midlands Metro lists a postal address at Potters Lane, Wednesbury, and a phone line for enquiries about the scooter permit scheme.
How this compares with nearby networks
West Midlands Metro’s permit-based approach is stricter in process than Nottingham’s tram network, which accepts scooters without pre-registration, but it is not unusual: several regional operators, including Blackpool Transport, also restrict scooters to Class 2 with fixed dimensions. The common thread across these England tram networks is that Class 3 scooters, which are heavier, faster and built for road use, are treated as unsuitable for the confined wheelchair bay on a tram, regardless of the operator.
The bottom line
West Midlands Metro is accessible to mobility scooter users, but only after the operator has assessed the specific scooter against its Class 2 size limits and issued a permit valid for five years. Anyone planning to use the tram regularly should apply well ahead of their first journey rather than assuming that turning up with a scooter will be enough.
Sources
- West Midlands Metro, "West Midlands Metro Scooter Policy" (westmidlandsmetro.com)