Is there a right to free water on long distance trains?

[6Gman]

Is this why Merseyrail does not have an on-board shop?

I like the idea, but how many Merseyrail services operate entirely within one local authority licensing area? I suspect Liverpool - Kirkby might be the only one.

 

[sprunt]

Do sleeper trains carry potable water? I don't know if it's a right, but I'd say there's a reasonable expectation of access to drinking water in sleeper accommodation.

 

[221129]

Do sleeper trains carry potable water? I don't know if it's a right, but I'd say there's a reasonable expectation of access to drinking water in sleeper accommodation.

No. They don't. However complimentary bottles of water are provided in the berths.

 

[Highlandspring]

There is bottled water in every cabin, as well as a boiler in every steward’s pantry.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I like the idea, but how many Merseyrail services operate entirely within one local authority licensing area? I suspect Liverpool - Kirkby might be the only one.

Nope, two. The City of Liverpool, and Knowsley.

 

[island]

Legally, you're not correct. Unlicensed premises in the UK do not have to supply free drinking water. Licensed premises do, but they can charge for use of a glass and for service (!!!).

In the real world though, I have never been refused tap water if I am purchasing something else.

Back to the thread though I was under the impression licensed premises were under obligation to serve tap water if asked?

The TOCs do have a licence to sell alcohol so in theory should be required to provide "portable water" for free on request.

Aside from the fact that selling alcohol on board a train isn’t a licensable activity, the requirement for fixed licensed premises to serve free potable water is not unqualified. It is required to be provided to customers (so people not buying anything need not be served) where reasonably possible (so if there is no source of potable water available it need not be provided).

 

[VT 390]

Last year when I travelled from Southampton Central to Newport (South Wales) with GWR there were no delays or anything but when the trolley came round everyone was allowed a free drink and not just water they were letting people choose any drink they wanted.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Last year when I travelled from Southampton Central to Newport there were no delays or anything but when the trolley came round everyone was allowed a free drink and not just water they were letting people choose any drink they wanted.

When was this? Was it hot? Was the aircon working?
On that route, that would be the only time that happens

 

[VT 390]

When was this? Was it hot? Was the aircon working?
On that route, that would be the only time that happens

This was late July 2018, though I can't remember the exact date.
It was hot but the aircon did seam to be working in the carriage I was in but I don't know about other carriages.

 

[tiptoptaff]

This was late July 2018, though I can't remember the exact date.
It was hot but the aircon did seam to be working in the carriage I was in but I don't know about other carriages.

Then that would have been the reason.

Not entitled to it. Not relevant to this thread

 

[Mathew S]

Then that would have been the reason.

Not entitled to it. Not relevant to this thread

No, I think it is relevant. It's a circumstance in which free water has been given out on trains, that makes it relevant.
Some TOCs are quite generous with the free water, VTWC being one that springs to mind in my experience, in the summer months. Whether it's an entitlement as opposed to a goodwill gesture is an interesting discussion. I'd suggest that on non-airconditioned trains, the provision of water in high temperatures is a way of the TOC discharging it's duty of care to travellers.

 

[leytongabriel]

Thanks for all the replies- clearly this touches on a number of issues including staff attitudes, our attitudes to staff, the practicalities of supplying potable water, the legal aspect, medical need etc.
I posed the question thinking it was a 'no' but not a straightforward 'no' and so worth talking about. For those who didn't read it carefully, it wasn't me who asked, I was just a bystander.

 

[Clayton]

Then that would have been the reason.

Not entitled to it. Not relevant to this thread

The railway companies charge high prices for often delayed travel. They are in the business of customer service so should be looking to give out water at least if there is any sort of problem

 

[TurbostarFan]

The railway companies charge high prices for often delayed travel. They are in the business of customer service so should be looking to give out water at least if there is any sort of problem

Exactly. On top of that some TOCs (e.g. Greater Anglia) require that non-alcoholic drinks be provided in such an event in their passenger charter. The very least they should do is honour it.

 

[bristolianre]

On Amtrak trains in the USA the water provided in lavatory/handbasin cubicles is labelled 'DRINKING WATER' and is of course freely available to all passengers. Why is this common practice beyond the wit of European train designers?

 

[Ianno87]

The railway companies charge high prices for often delayed travel. They are in the business of customer service so should be looking to give out water at least if there is any sort of problem

It is business sense to give out free water in certain scenarios; dehydrated passengers (e.g. in hot weather) fall ill, and cause more delays.

 

[AlterEgo]

On Amtrak trains in the USA the water provided in lavatory/handbasin cubicles is labelled 'DRINKING WATER' and is of course freely available to all passengers. Why is this common practice beyond the wit of European train designers?

I wouldn’t drink from a tap on Amtrak.

 

[6Gman]

On Amtrak trains in the USA the water provided in lavatory/handbasin cubicles is labelled 'DRINKING WATER' and is of course freely available to all passengers. Why is this common practice beyond the wit of European train designers?

Space, probably.

 

[RLBH]

Why is this common practice beyond the wit of European train designers?

Quite possibly different regulations about drinking water. In the UK, and presumably much of the rest of Europe, maintaining the plumbing in train toilets to the standards required for drinking water, and ensuring that the water doesn't make passengers ill, would be expensive. The standards for non-potable water aren't quite so strict.

 

[DavidGrain]

I would not drink water from a tank which had been filled by a hosepipe in a carriage siding.

 

[hawk1911]

Get yourself a collapsible water bottle and download the 'Refill' app. The app will tell you your nearest free water refill point. There are over 20,000 places signed up in the UK, including many at railway stations.

 

[hexagon789]

On Amtrak trains in the USA the water provided in lavatory/handbasin cubicles is labelled 'DRINKING WATER' and is of course freely available to all passengers. Why is this common practice beyond the wit of European train designers?

What sort of quality is it though? How well is the plumbing/tanks maintained/cleaned. Where is the water filled and where from?

 

[sprunt]

Given that there aren't reports of widescale illnesses from people drinking the water provided on Amtrak trains, it's almost certainly fine.

 

[GrimShady]

What's the maintained temperature and what measures are in place to stop Legionella?

 

[hexagon789]

What's the maintained temperature and what measures are in place to stop Legionella?

I Googled this out of curiosity and they do test every single car regularly for bacteria in the water supply apparently.

 

[GrimShady]

I Googled this out of curiosity and they do test every single car regularly for bacteria in the water supply apparently.

Is there no active chemical treatment? Legionella exists everywhere not just hot water systems. It can still found hiding in dead legs of cold water systems.

 

[hexagon789]

Is there no active chemical treatment? Legionella exists everywhere not just hot water systems. It can still found hiding in dead legs of cold water systems.

Thought it was only a risk if airborne?

 

[GrimShady]

Thought it was only a risk if airborne?

Usually in some form of water vapor or mist but you can be infected by drinking contaminated water if it makes its way to the lungs.

 

[hexagon789]

Usually in some form of water vapor or mist but you can be infected by drinking contaminated water if it makes its way to the lungs.

I see, not so good then. Do TOCs routinely disinfect tanks then?

 

[GrimShady]

I see, not so good then. Do TOCs routinely disinfect tanks then?

Unknown as my back ground is Maritime.