Scotrail and alcohol

[Master29]

You can legally carry all sorts of things in your bags that might be illegal to use publicly, like xmas shopping from Ann Summers, it doesn't mean you are going to use them on a train.

I dunno. It may brighten up a journey a bit..

 

[geoffk]

They need to rethink this policy, or get other TOCs on board and get them to also ban alcohol on the Scottish network.

I bought a whisky from the on-train trolley coming back from Wick in 2018. Presumably that's still possible, assuming the trolley is still in operation.

 

[NoOnesFool]

Being able to drink alcohol onboard is a dominant factor in me deciding to choose rail travel onboard. In my experience, troublesome* drunk passengers are already in a state when they get on. Them having a can of Stella between Inverkeithing and Dundee isn't going to make much difference.

 

[hexagon789]

I bought a whisky from the on-train trolley coming back from Wick in 2018. Presumably that's still possible, assuming the trolley is still in operation.

The limited reintroduced trolley service does not serve alcohol.

 

[NoOnesFool]

I am glad I have read this thread. If I visit Scotland, I will avoid ScotRail and travel with CrossCountry instead. A dry train is not a happy train for me.

 

[geoffk]

The limited reintroduced trolley service does not serve alcohol.

Is Ms Sturgeon a strict teetotaller? As has been pointed out about, the main issue is usually the folks who've been drinking before getting on the train.

 

[hexagon789]

I am glad I have read this thread. If I visit Scotland, I will avoid ScotRail and travel with CrossCountry instead. A dry train is not a happy train for me.

Good luck, given the very limited XC services in Scotland currently.

Is Ms Sturgeon a strict teetotaller? As has been pointed out about, the main issue is usually the folks who've been drinking before getting on the train.

Not that I am aware of. I'm sure she's visited whisky distilleries on the campaign trail before AND sampled a dram or two.

I don't think I'm confusing that with Salmond.

 

[Runningaround]

Being able to drink alcohol onboard is a dominant factor in me deciding to choose rail travel onboard. In my experience, troublesome* drunk passengers are already in a state when they get on. Them having a can of Stella between Inverkeithing and Dundee isn't going to make much difference.

I'm sure using the train on a night out was actively encouraged to reduce drink driving with publicity. And it's known for Police Officers to stick someone drunk onto a train to avoid them getting hurt.

 

[Par]

Don’t Northern have some dry trains on the Cumbrian Coast and Carlisle - Newcastle at weekends?

Not sure how widespread this is in England generally except where BTP decree for football etc..

 

[Bletchleyite]

Don’t Northern have some dry trains on the Cumbrian Coast and Carlisle - Newcastle at weekends?

Not sure how widespread this is in England generally except where BTP decree for football etc..

LNR out of Liverpool after 9pm due to serious problems. It did apply to trains out of Euston as well at one point but was totally unenforced and I think doesn't any more.

It's more of an issue in the sticks, to be honest, as people continue drinking rowdily on the relatively early last train home. When you've got a last train after midnight the drinking is generally done by then and people just fall asleep.

 

[och aye]

Is Ms Sturgeon a strict teetotaller? As has been pointed out about, the main issue is usually the folks who've been drinking before getting on the train.

No idea, but one of her MPs seems to like a drink on a train:

Mhairi Black apologises after video of drinking on train emerges

Footage showed the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP drinking from a can while surrounded by football fans.

news.stv.tv

NP MP Mhairi Black has apologised after she was filmed drinking lager on a ScotRail train despite a ban on alcohol being in place.

Footage emerged of the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP drinking from a can while surrounded by football fans.

The video was first published by the Spectator magazine’s website, which said it took place on a train travelling to Glasgow Central after a football match between Ayr United and Partick Thistle.

A ban on alcohol on board ScotRail trains was extended when the rail franchise was nationalised on April 1.

A spokesman for the MP said: “Mhairi has been reminded of the rules and apologises.”


Nicola Sturgeon was asked about the MP’s apology while she was campaigning in Edinburgh ahead of the local elections.

The First Minister said she had not spoken to Black about the incident.

She told the PA news agency: “She has apologised, I’m sure she’ll be deeply regretful at making that slip.

“But she’s done the right thing and apologised, and I know Mhairi takes her own behaviour and integrity extremely seriously.”

She later told journalists she did not think ScotRail’s ban on alcohol should be scrapped.

 

[MCSHF007]

No idea, but one of her MPs seems to like a drink on a train:

Mhairi Black apologises after video of drinking on train emerges

Footage showed the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP drinking from a can while surrounded by football fans.

news.stv.tv

And there was me thinking young Mhairi was the respectable (and respected) "future face" of Scottish politics.

 

[Western Gaffer]

I'm sure she's visited whiskey distilleries on the campaign trail before AND sampled a dram or two.

Was she campaigning in Ireland?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

No idea, but one of her MPs seems to like a drink on a train:

Mhairi Black apologises after video of drinking on train emerges

Footage showed the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP drinking from a can while surrounded by football fans.

news.stv.tv

How embarrassing that people should make such a fuss over drinking from a can on a train. It's an absolutely ludicrous and dictator-like rule, I think.

 

[yorksrob]

No idea, but one of her MPs seems to like a drink on a train:

Mhairi Black apologises after video of drinking on train emerges

Footage showed the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP drinking from a can while surrounded by football fans.

news.stv.tv

She'd do better campaigning against the policy.

 

[Bletchleyite]

How embarrassing that people should make such a fuss over drinking from a can on a train. It's an absolutely ludicrous and dictator-like rule, I think.

If politicians (or their parties) make rules they need to stick to them. Another rank hypocrite.

 

[yorksrob]

It's an absolutely ludicrous and dictator-like rule, I think.

I Agree with this.

 

[hexagon789]

Was she campaigning in Ireland?

Darnation! I blame autocorrect; I assure you as a proud Scotsman (and Englishman and Irishman), I do know the difference!

 

[Davester50]

It's an absolutely ludicrous and dictator-like rule, I think.

Welcome to Scotland in 2022. Do as I say, not as I do.

(See also Alexander de Pfeffel Johnson in Westminster).

 

[ld0595]

I am glad I have read this thread. If I visit Scotland, I will avoid ScotRail and travel with CrossCountry instead. A dry train is not a happy train for me.

Seems like an odd choice to limit your options to such an extent just because of an alcohol ban which isn't really enforced.

I'm any case, as has been suggested upthread, you'll probably be fine having a drink on the train anyway. Most guards will turn a blind eye to it unless you're being rowdy. I've not had any issues in recent months while having a few beers on my journey.

 

[Davester50]

Seems like an odd choice to limit your options to such an extent just because of an alcohol ban which isn't really enforced.

I'm any case, as has been suggested upthread, you'll probably be fine having a drink on the train anyway. Most guards will turn a blind eye to it unless you're being rowdy. I've not had any issues in recent months while having a few beers on my journey.

What does seem odd is poorly written guidance that just gets ignored.
Which is the whole problem. What else do people just start to ignore as they don't like it?

ScotRail are just doing what they're told by the bill payer, the Scottish Government, which fits their world view.

 

[Western Gaffer]

Stories like this one are unlikely to encourage ScotRail to change their alcohol policy:

ScotRail staff threatened to boycott Glasgow route due to behaviour of 'young team'

The ticket examiner said she feels her safety is being jeopardised every day at work and that it’s taking its toll on her mental and physical…

www.heraldscotland.com

 

[Runningaround]

If alcohols the deciding factor on going somewhere I think you might have a problem, take advantage and give your liver a break for a couple of hours or more. Just think the nicotine addicts will be suffering even more.
I think alcohol sales are stricter around football grounds on matchday in Scotland to so would you refrain going to Edinburgh just because you can't drink for a few hours?
I wonder if they will also forgo the World Cup this year due to strict alcohol laws?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Stories like this one are unlikely to encourage ScotRail to change their alcohol policy:

ScotRail staff threatened to boycott Glasgow route due to behaviour of 'young team'

The ticket examiner said she feels her safety is being jeopardised every day at work and that it’s taking its toll on her mental and physical…

www.heraldscotland.com

One thing I did notice in that article, is that it possibly highlights a lack of BTP. The train was heading to Balloch, but police couldn’t come as there was a trespass incident at Hillington West, all the way down the river, on another route.

Lack of officers maybe?

 

[Davester50]

Stories like this one are unlikely to encourage ScotRail to change their alcohol policy:

ScotRail staff threatened to boycott Glasgow route due to behaviour of 'young team'

The ticket examiner said she feels her safety is being jeopardised every day at work and that it’s taking its toll on her mental and physical…

www.heraldscotland.com

Probably.
Yet the only folk who the ban impacts is the average punter in the street.
Neds are ignoring civilised behaviour, let along any booze ban.

 

[Runningaround]

What does seem odd is poorly written guidance that just gets ignored.
Which is the whole problem. What else do people just start to ignore as they don't like it?

ScotRail are just doing what they're told by the bill payer, the Scottish Government, which fits their world view.

It's pretty obvious what the rules are and what's tolerated.

There are plenty of breaking of rules if they aren't harming others, smoking on a windswept open platform ok. smoking in the pub, in a waiting room, on the train, no!
Drunk and swigging from cans being obnoxious. Stop don't get on or get off.
Shopping bag with booze in OK. Being merry after a few drinks and using the train instead of the car, encouraged.

 

[Davester50]

So what's the point of rules if you can choose to ignore them?
Ask the Prime Minister, and the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South I suppose...

 

[Runningaround]

So what's the point of rules if you can choose to ignore them?
Ask the Prime Minister, and the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South I suppose...

Do you stick rigidly to all rules including the not buying and consuming another drink while already drunk rule? Sometimes it's easier to just have a rule that covers all areas, rather than have multiple of exceptions for a million different scenarios and locations.
Unless Scotland is awash with jobsworths on a power trip, discretion by staff is usually the norm.

 

[43066]

Seems like an odd choice to limit your options to such an extent just because of an alcohol ban which isn't really enforced.

I'm any case, as has been suggested upthread, you'll probably be fine having a drink on the train anyway. Most guards will turn a blind eye to it unless you're being rowdy. I've not had any issues in recent months while having a few beers on my journey.

I can understand the reason for dry trains in certain circumstances (the football trains mentioned upthread!) but it does seem a bit OTT to have a blanket ban. Especially at a time when passengers are being encouraged to return to the railway. Part of the reason people travel by train rather than drive is so they can indulge in a few drinks.

Ask the Prime Minister, and the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South I suppose...

Add to that the holier than thou Kier-late-night-beer-and-curry-during-lockdown-Starmer.

 

[mmh]

I very much assume the rule is there so when people are disruptive, then there is some backing for officials to take action on said offenders. Most guards are probably taking this common sense approach.

I'm sure someone having a quiet beer on the way home from work or holiday won't be bothered, as it only serves to potentially cause an escalation which would never have happened.

Merseyrail also has a no alcohol drinking rule, and they very much do enforce it, including escalations which otherwise wouldn't happen.