On Wed, 7 May 2008 12:27:13 +0100, "Paul Scott"
wrote:

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7387113.stm

"That's why from 1 June the drinking of alcohol will be banned from the
tube, tram, bus, and Docklands Light Railway."

An idea that looks OK on paper. However how is this going to be
enforced? I think this is the biggest problem and the lack of even
initial consultation with the people who *may* have to enforce this is
rather indicative of future relationships with the TUs. Regardless of
what people think of the RMT etc it might have been wise to have had a
chat with them first given it could be their members' safety that is at
risk here.

As others have pointed out the real issue is with people being drunk or
a tad tipsy before they get on public transport. For the vast majority
they don't cause any trouble and just want to get home safely in a bit
of a blur. Given the pressure to make drink driving socially
unacceptable all that is left to people is to use public transport,
cadge a lift or take a taxi in order to get home from a night out.

Given that most incidents late at night involve alcohol consumed a long
way from TfL premises or vehicles I wonder how long it will be before
"the civility on public transport" argument means drunk or tipsy people
won't be allowed on to the system because it's incompatible with Mayoral
views on how we should conduct ourselves? How loud an outcry will there
be from the huge entertainment business sector if there is even a hint
of policy going that way? I assume alcohol is not actually being banned
- just the consumption of it? Otherwise a few supermarkets might lose
some trade from those who doing their shopping and then hop on a bus or
train home.

I look forward to seeing the detail of how this will work in practice.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!