Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (TRTC) yesterday issued an advisory urging passengers not to use power banks in the metro system, a week after a battery caught fire, causing a panic on the Blue Line.
A passenger put out the fire by using a fire extinguisher, while 450 other people switched trains, the TRTC said.
Lin Rung-hui (林榮輝), head of TRTC’s public safety and hygiene division, said that station staff would request but not compel passengers to comply.
Taipei Times
The TRTC said it would seek compensation for any losses incurred if a mishap involving the use of a power bank disrupted service or damaged property, he said.
He cited a battery fire on the Hibiya Line of the Tokyo Metro on Monday, saying that the fire and resulting panic could have led to serious injuries.
The TRTC has reported five power bank fires since 2024, including three on trains and two in stations, a notable risk, he said.
The TRTC will continue to make rental power banks available for passenger use, which can be activated in dedicated recharging zones, Lin said.
TRTC officials said the advisory would apply in metro stations and on trains.
Passengers are urged to only buy power banks with national safety standard certifications and refrain from using batteries with visible deformities or that generate excessive heat, they said.
Metal tongs, buckets, bottled water and heat-resistant gloves would be made available in trains for putting out electronic devices should they catch fire, they added.
Although few metro services have instituted a similar policy, the TRTC believes that the advisory is necessary, similar to airlines, which have comprehensively banned the use of portable charging devices in flight.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications should adopt a nation-wide policy to deal with the danger of battery fires in metropolitan railway systems, they added.
In response to media inquiries, a regular MRT commuter surnamed Lin (林) said yesterday that the nature of her job requires her to frequently answer phone calls. To avoid running out of battery, she said she always carries a portable power bank. Lin noted that it would be particularly inconvenient if her phone were to run out of power when she needed to take an important call. She added that mobile power bank rental stations are commonly seen at MRT stations, and it can be confusing when a rented power bank turns out to be unusable.
A high school student surnamed Chen (陳) said he typically uses his phone during his commute to pass the time. While a dead battery would be somewhat inconvenient, he said that because his MRT trips are usually short, he is willing to put up with it for safety reasons.
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