East Coast dry train trial

[A-driver]

I don't think anybody needs 'help' but I think its not unreasonable to expect to enjoy a drink or two on a long distance journey.

Its not unreasonable but if you are told you can't then there is no issue-you will survive. If you rely on alcohol to get you through 2-3 hours of the day then that is actually an issue!

Its been advertised now so if you don't like it and are that desperate to have a drink onboard or take every freebie you can in first class for whatever reason then here's a very simple solution...don't travel on that train or if you really don't like it the drive a car or catch a bus. Simple really?

 

[Antman]

Its not unreasonable but if you are told you can't then there is no issue-you will survive. If you rely on alcohol to get you through 2-3 hours of the day then that is actually an issue!

Its been advertised now so if you don't like it and are that desperate to have a drink onboard or take every freebie you can in first class for whatever reason then here's a very simple solution...don't travel on that train or if you really don't like it the drive a car or catch a bus. Simple really?

Oh what drive a car and consume alcohol?

 

[A-driver]

Oh what drive a car and consume alcohol?

Not read a book, use a computer, watch a DVD, eat food, sleep, relax, do some work etc.

Drinking alcohol isn't really the main reason people catch a train and my point is that once again this has been blown up way out of proportion. And for someone to call this an 'abuse of privledge' as they did is just laughable.

This is a non - issue. They wouldn't do this if it wasn't a problem and as for the comments that first class is different-I hate to ruin any illusions but first class isn't different. Considering a first class ticket can cost less than a standard one at times I don't think you will find it to be full of the elite and well behaved you think it is!

 

[Antman]

On 99% of my train journies I wouldn't be consuming alcohol but if I were going from London to Scotland with friends for a holiday I might wish to have a drink or two, without annoying other passengers of course.

BTW the alcohol ban on London Underground has proven to be unenforcable, not that it was a great problem in the first place.

A sledgehammer to crack a nut

 

[Fred26]

People need to enforce the Underground drinking ban themselves. I travelled with a group of friends last night with cans to drink when we got on our train, but we didn't touch them on the tube, because it's banned.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

One of the advantages of the train over the car is to be able to sit back and relax with a beer on those longer journies - not every journey but it is nice to have that choice. Every ban that removes one of those advantages of travelling by train makes the car look more attractive for longer journies again.

 

[Antman]

One of the advantages of the train over the car is to be able to sit back and relax with a beer on those longer journies - not every journey but it is nice to have that choice. Every ban that removes one of those advantages of travelling by train makes the car look more attractive for longer journies again.

Exactly, and for group travel hiring a self drive minibus is becoming increasingly popular.

 

[reb0118]

Has it expressly stated that the complimentary alcohol will be banned in first?

Also, I do not believe that the BTP will be routinely searching bags, the carrying of sealed alcohol is not the problem but the visible consumption of said alcohol is.

Greater emphasis should be placed on the enforcement of existing byelaws. In as much as potential passengers who are obviously intoxicated should be refused travel or forced to leave if they have already boarded. Known problem trains should be targeted.

 

[Mr Spock]

For goodness sake we are talking about a trial on ONE train for part of its journey. Get a sense of perspective.

 

[A-driver]

One of the advantages of the train over the car is to be able to sit back and relax with a beer on those longer journies - not every journey but it is nice to have that choice. Every ban that removes one of those advantages of travelling by train makes the car look more attractive for longer journies again.

Then drive if you feel so strongly. See what the railway cares! If enough people do that and the railways loose business then they may have a rethink but they really couldn't care less if you decide to drive instead.

 

[transmanche]

Has it expressly stated that the complimentary alcohol will be banned in first?

Has it expressly been stated that complimentary alcohol will be available in first on this train?

The restriction means passengers will not be able to bring alcohol in any form onto this train, or to drink it on-board.

That seems quite plain to me.

Known problem trains should be targeted.

That's exactly what they're doing!

 

[Antman]

Then drive if you feel so strongly. See what the railway cares! If enough people do that and the railways loose business then they may have a rethink but they really couldn't care less if you decide to drive instead.

So that is all you have to say is it? That people who do want to consume alcohol should drive instead:roll:

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Then drive if you feel so strongly. See what the railway cares! If enough people do that and the railways loose business then they may have a rethink but they really couldn't care less if you decide to drive instead.

I gave up commuting by rail a couple of season tickets ago and actually find my commute by car cheaper and less stressful. If the attitude of staff and rail companies continues thus for longer journies I certainly will use my car for those journies too.

Fortunately most rail companies and staff don't share your attitude and continue to provide choice and service for it's customers.

 

[A-driver]

So that is all you have to say is it? That people who do want to consume alcohol should drive instead:roll:

No-what I have to say is that you are blowing this out of all proportion. They arnt saying that all passengers on all of their trains must travel naked standing on a bed of red hot nails whilst the guard walks past throwing hot tar on them are they?!

They have an issue with this train and so to solve this issue they are making it dry. Its not a big deal at all-you can drink something non alcoholic instead-it won't kill you and if you can't possibly last 3 hours without alcohol then you can catch a different train instead-not rocket science...

Now go and find something proper to worry about as this really is a non issue. There are real problems in the world and being asked to refrain from drinking alcohol at 10 in the morning on a train from Aberdeen to Newcastle really isn't one of them.

As I say, some people on here just have an issue with being told what to do. They think they are above that and don't think these rules should apply to them. At a guess most people moaning on here don't travel on that particular train anyway and if they did probably wouldn't want a drink if it wasn't banned!

Heavens sake-this really isn't a big deal at all.

 

[A-driver]

I gave up commuting by rail a couple of season tickets ago and actually find my commute by car cheaper and less stressful. If the attitude of staff and rail companies continues thus for longer journies I certainly will use my car for those journies too.

Fortunately most rail companies and staff don't share your attitude and continue to provide choice and service for it's customers.

Which is exactly what east coast are doing-banning alcohol to prevent the alcohol related problems. They are doing it to benefit the majority of passengers. But as I say, if you don't agree with them then find another way if travelling.

And its not an argument that the railway will suffer from people turning to their cars. As soon as everyone moves to cars the roads will meltdown whilst the trains will suddenly be reliable, spacious and more pleasant. Then everyone will come back to the trains!

 

[Yew]

Surely it would be best to enforce the current bylaws? Rather than an arbitrary ban?

 

[Darandio]

Amazing. It seems the thread has immediately snowballed to 5 pages and counting because people cannot get free alcohol on a morning. That's the crux of it.

And to think that I thought all of these reports about alcohol being a problem were rubbish!

 

[transmanche]

Surely it would be best to enforce the current bylaws? Rather than an arbitrary ban?

But the byelaws specifically allow for an such a ban. And it's hardly 'arbitrary' when it's a four-week trial, affecting one specific service, to deal with problems on that specific service.

Similarly other 'dry' trains on NR (see up-thread for examples) are created to deal with problems on those specific services.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Which is exactly what east coast are doing-banning alcohol to prevent the alcohol related problems. They are doing it to benefit the majority of passengers. But as I say, if you don't agree with them then find another way if travelling.

And its not an argument that the railway will suffer from people turning to their cars. As soon as everyone moves to cars the roads will meltdown whilst the trains will suddenly be reliable, spacious and more pleasant. Then everyone will come back to the trains!

So basically East Coast have a problem and as opposed to targetting and dealing with those who cause the problem they impose restrictions on everyone instead - very infant school.

The railways are a tax payer funded monopoly which the taxpayer is getting continually fed up with. If certain parties get elected there may well be a shift back towards new road projects. Most freight goes by road and most people go by road.
Rail will never even get into double figures percentage wise for journies made even if we spent half our GDP on them so they will never be value for money.

 

[A-driver]

The railways are a tax payer funded monopoly which the taxpayer is getting continually fed up with. If certain parties get elected there may well be a shift back towards new road projects. Most freight goes by road and most people go by road.
Rail will never even get into double figures percentage wise for journies made even if we spent half our GDP on them so they will never be value for money.

So what is your point exactly?

Just shut the railways down and watch hundreds of thousands of cars clog up the roads and people trying to park in central London.

 

[howittpie]

I find this East Coast to be disgracful as the bye-law clearly states that no alcohol onto the train. I travel on this train and will be doing next Friday and always bring a bottle of whisky back for friend. The byelaw states that to do this I must break the law as no alcohol is allowed to be carried by passengers on this train. East Coast obviously trying to make incocent people into criminals. This is nothing to do with wanting to consume alcohol either just carrying back as a present.

 

[A-driver]

I find this East Coast to be disgracful as the bye-law clearly states that no alcohol onto the train. I travel on this train and will be doing next Friday and always bring a bottle of whisky back for friend. The byelaw states that to do this I must break the law as no alcohol is allowed to be carried by passengers on this train. East Coast obviously trying to make incocent people into criminals. This is nothing to do with wanting to consume alcohol either just carrying back as a present.

They won't be searching luggage and even if they did-they are trying to prevent people from drinking on the train. If you have a sealed bottle in your bag then they won't even know about it-and if they do they will know you arnt bringing it on to drink so no need to over react like that.

 

[Antman]

Amazing. It seems the thread has immediately snowballed to 5 pages and counting because people cannot get free alcohol on a morning. That's the crux of it.

And to think that I thought all of these reports about alcohol being a problem were rubbish!

You're missing the point.

I've never used this train and if I did I probably wouldn't wish to consume alcohol but there is a point of principal.

If there is a problem with anti social behaviour on this train then why aren't BTP doing something about it? Instead all passengers get treated like naughty children.

 

[A-driver]

You're missing the point.

I've never used this train and if I did I probably wouldn't wish to consume alcohol but there is a point of principal.

If there is a problem with anti social behaviour on this train then why aren't BTP doing something about it? Instead all passengers get treated like naughty children.

Would you argue the same about football trains which east coast run dry?

Having BTP onboard the train every day to kick off drunks would cost a lot-and very few people will want to drink at that time if day.

Plus its not a point if principle-if you choose to travel by train you agree to the rules the TOC lays down. This is no different from not being allowed to smoke, put feet on seats etc.

Get over yourself and just accept this! Such rubbish being spouted on here at the moment!

 

[Darandio]

You're missing the point.

No, I haven't.

A-driver pretty much sums my thoughts up in the post above. It's not a big deal.

Given they aren't supposed to serve complimentary alcohol until after lunchtime, there isn't a great loss of time here. And that time loss only depends on a differing opinion of lunchtime anyway.

 

[Butts]

No, I haven't.

A-driver pretty much sums my thoughts up in the post above. It's not a big deal.

Given they aren't supposed to serve complimentary alcohol until after lunchtime, there isn't a great loss of time here. And that time loss only depends on a differing opinion of lunchtime anyway.

They often serve Alcohol as soon as The All Day Menu Starts , I have imbibed shortly after boarding the HC in Falkirk. (ie 11am)

If you've paid £13 for a First Class Single from Falkirk to Newcastle, joining the affected service in Edinburgh and are subjected to these restrictions I find it outrageous

 

[Antman]

Would you argue the same about football trains which east coast run dry?

Having BTP onboard the train every day to kick off drunks would cost a lot-and very few people will want to drink at that time if day.

Plus its not a point if principle-if you choose to travel by train you agree to the rules the TOC lays down. This is no different from not being allowed to smoke, put feet on seats etc.

Get over yourself and just accept this! Such rubbish being spouted on here at the moment!

Oh for goodness sake, do childish phrases like "get over yourself" have any place on here? Grow up eh:roll:

 

[jopsuk]

With the mention of restrictions that are in put in place around football matches, last weekend I was travelling through Kings Cross and was asked by a BTP PCSO at the gateline if I had alcohol on me (I didn't). The restriction was only for trains to Newcastle (EC) and Sunderland (GC) (Newcastle had been playing QPR).

As I was travelling to Cambridge, on FCC, presumably even if I'd had an open can of beer in my hand, confiscating it (presuming at this point that I was not badly drunk) would not have been legal?

 

[Jock]

Jesus wept its only one train!

There are plenty of other trains you can travel on... Oh wait a minute, some of you will probably object to getting out of bed earlier won't you - which, if you're that desperate for a drink, need to do.

 

[Antman]

With the mention of restrictions that are in put in place around football matches, last weekend I was travelling through Kings Cross and was asked by a BTP PCSO at the gateline if I had alcohol on me (I didn't). The restriction was only for trains to Newcastle (EC) and Sunderland (GC) (Newcastle had been playing QPR).

As I was travelling to Cambridge, on FCC, presumably even if I'd had an open can of beer in my hand, confiscating it (presuming at this point that I was not badly drunk) would not have been legal?

Police would probably tell you to finish the beer before boarding the train