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Guidelines for bringing Personal Electric Vehicles (PEV) in MTA systems

Updated Apr 24, 2023

1. Charging is Prohibited.

Charging a Permissible PEV, plugging a Permissible PEV into an electrical outlet, or connecting a PEV to any charging device in any MTA facility (including any station, terminal, or office) or on any MTA conveyance (including any train, subway, or bus) is prohibited.

2. Operating PEVs anywhere at MTA is Prohibited.

Operating, riding, sitting, or standing on or astride a PEV or placing a PEV under power (i.e., turning it on) for any reason in any MTA facility, or on any MTA conveyance is prohibited. This prohibition includes:

  • Onboard or entering trains, subway cars, paratransit vehicles, and buses.
  • In stations, terminals, etc.
  • In mezzanines, platforms, passenger walkways, waiting areas and waiting rooms.
  • On stairs, elevators, and escalators.
  • On or within the pathway of any railroad right-of-way.
  • Through a turnstile, fare array, emergency gate, etc.
  • In shops, yards, depots, offices, job sites, etc.
  • On vehicular roadways of bridges and tunnels.
  • On pedestrian walkways and shared use paths on bridges.

3. Individuals are Allowed to Bring Permissible PEVs into Public Areas of MTA Facilities.

Individuals are allowed to bring Permissible PEVs and Foldable Permissible PEVs into Public Areas of MTA Facilities only under the following conditions:

  1. A Foldable Permissible PEV must always be in its compacted and latched position.
  2. The individual may not move or carry the Permissible PEV or place it in a location that impedes the movement of individuals, MTA employees or contractors, or law enforcement personnel, including impeding access to doors, window exits, on-board train and bus marked emergency hatches and window exits, paths of egress, aisles, stairways, elevators, escalators, utilities, customer seating, turnstiles, MTA fare media equipment, MTA operational equipment, and emergency equipment.
  3. The individual may not move or carry the Permissible PEV or place it in a location that impedes MTA employees or contractors, law enforcement personnel, or emergency personnel from performing their duties.
  4. The individual may not move or carry the Permissible PEV or place it in a location that in any manner blocks any right-of-way, traffic device, signage, or safety mechanism.
  5. The individual may not lock the Permissible PEV to any part of any MTA facility or property, including poles, fences, pipes, and handrails.
  6. The individual must keep the Permissible PEV in a location near to them where they can identify the device as their property if requested by an MTA employee or contractor or law enforcement personnel and be able to readily access and relocate the device if requested.
  7. The Permissible PEV must be kept behind all railroad, subway, and bus yellow or tactile safety lines.
  8. The Permissible PEV must be kept away from any heat or energized source.
  9. The Permissible PEV, or the battery of any device, must not be abandoned, discarded, left unattended, or stored anywhere on MTA property.
  10. The individual may not move or carry the Permissible PEV or place it in a location that obstructs or impedes customers or MTA employees or contractors with a disability, including those using or transporting an ADA mobility device.

4. PEVs are Not Permitted in Non-Public MTA Locations

  1. PEVs are not permitted in any MTA locations that are not open to the public.
    1. Employees, contractors, and consultants, however, may request authorization to bring a Permissible PEV into non-public areas from local management and agency safety offices, however charging of any Permissible PEV is prohibited.

5. PEVs are Not Permitted in MTA Construction Sites

PEVs are not permitted in any MTA construction site, or any construction site with work being performed on behalf of the MTA, including sites where locations that have not yet been turned over to the MTA.

6. PEVs and PEV-Related Equipment are Not Permitted in MTA Station Retail or Employee Facilities

PEVs and the sale, or lease of PEV-related equipment (including, without limitation batteries) are not a permitted use in connection with any retail leased or licensed space, or any employee facility anywhere in the MTA portfolio.

7. PEVs are Not Permitted inside MTA Express Buses

Any form of PEVs, including Foldable Permissible PEVs, are prohibited inside MTA Express Buses.

8. Safe Transport of Permissible PEVs is Permitted

  1. If the Permissible PEV has the ability to be folded, it must be folded or compacted and carried as designed.
  2. Only Foldable Permissible PEVs are permitted in other MTA buses as long as the Permissible PEV does not impede the movement of individuals, including impeding access to doors, window exits, bus marked emergency hatches and window exits, paths of egress, customer seating, operational and emergency equipment.
  3. Permissible PEVs are allowed outside of MTA buses equipped with front-of-bus bicycle racks if the PEV is designed to be rack mounted.
  4. Individuals can transport Permissible PEVs and Foldable Permissible PEVs on MTA conveyances, other than the bus limitations above, under the following conditions:
    1. A Foldable Permissible PEV must always be in its compacted and latched position.
    2. The individual may only bring the Permissible PEV onto an MTA conveyance after other passengers have boarded the conveyance.
    3. The individual may not move or carry the device or place it in a location that impedes the movement of individuals, MTA employees, contractors, or law enforcement personnel, including impeding access to doors, window exits, paths of egress, aisles, customer seating, MTA fare media equipment, operator / engineer doors, utilities, and MTA emergency and operational equipment.
    4. The individual may not move or carry the Permissible PEV or place it in a location that impedes MTA employees or contractors, law enforcement personnel, or emergency personnel from performing their duties.
    5. The individual must position the Permissible PEV in a secure manner so that it will not move or fall during the regular or irregular movement of the MTA equipment.
    6. The device must not be locked to any MTA part of the MTA conveyance, including any handrails.
    7. The individual must keep the Permissible PEV in a location near to them where they can identify the device as their property if requested by an MTA employee or contractor or law enforcement personnel and be able to readily access and relocate the device if requested.  Overhead racks can only be used when transporting a Foldable Permissible PEV; if the PEV weighs no greater than 30 pounds; and can securely fit in the overhead rack.
    8. The weekday, weekend, time of day and number of PEVs that can be transported at one time on an MTA train, subway, or bus is limited. For the purpose of determining the weekday, weekend, time of day and number and location of PEVs that may be transported on an MTA train, subway, or bus, PEVs are treated the same as a bicycle and the MTA agency’s specific procedures and policies concerning transport of bicycles apply. A foldable PEV will be treated akin to a foldable bicycle.
    9. The individual may not move or carry the device or place it in a location that obstructs or impedes customers, MTA employees or contractors with a disability, including those using or transporting an ADA mobility device.
    10. The individual may not place the device in an ADA priority seating or securement location.
    11. If the MTA bridge has a pedestrian walkway, the Permissible PEV must be walked across.
    12. PEV customers including their Permissible PEV can only occupy one seat space. The Permissible PEV cannot be placed on any seat, or block access to a seat or emergency access window

9. Violation of rules of conduct by the transport or presence of PEVs on MTA revenue vehicles or in MTA facilities in a manner that is unsafe or obstructs passengers or operations according to MTA Guidelines may result in fines, penalties, and ejectment from the system.