03/05/2013
ScotlandCustomer ServiceHuman InterestSafety
Four-week Friday trial aims to ensure comfortable travel for all
Train operator East Coast is to trial an alcohol ban on a morning train from North East Scotland to ensure comfortable travel for passengers.
The four-week trial will apply on Fridays only from 10 May to 31 May inclusive, and will only apply to the 09.52 service from Aberdeen, for journeys as far south as Newcastle. The train calls at several stations along Scotland’s North East coast, including Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroath and Dundee.
The restriction means passengers will not be able to bring alcohol in any form onto this train, or to drink it on-board. No alcohol will be sold at the train’s cafe-bar, though other hot and cold refreshments will continue to be available as usual.
East Coast’s Commercial and Customer Service Director Peter Williams said: “We are trialling this for four weeks from next Friday, following discussions with the British Transport Police.
“The trial follows a number of recent instances of anti-social behaviour on this train between Aberdeen and Newcastle. Our aim is to ensure that all of our customers can enjoy a more pleasant and comfortable journey.
“It’s important that we send a clear and responsible message to all passengers that anti-social behaviour which spoils the journey for everyone won’t be tolerated.
“We will carefully review the results at the end of the four-week trial before making any decision on this for the longer term.”
East Coast is emailing those who have booked tickets for the Friday 09.52 from Aberdeen via its website,
www.eastcoast.co.uk and from other leading online ticket retailers, to let them know in advance about the change.
During the trial period, British Transport Police officers will enforce the alcohol ban at stations where the train calls, as well as on-board the service.
ENDS.
Notes to Editors
Under Byelaw 4 (2) of the Railway Byelaws, it is a criminal offence for any person travelling on services where the possession or sale of intoxicating liquor has been prohibited, to attempt to enter such trains with alcohol in their possession, or to be in possession of alcohol while on-board the train.
East Coast works closely with the British Transport Police and other train operators to review the relatively small number of incidents on its trains and managed stations and consider if restrictions on the sale and consumption of alcohol are appropriate, to ensure the safety of all passengers.
hock: You would never be able to tell. The only enforcement of this rule seems to be through the lack of toilets on the units - Always had to pace and time the pre-drinks at home in Sunderland correctly when going for a night out in Newcastle to ensure that the ol' bladder made it through the journey, which always put a damper on any thoughts of drinking more en route!
