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ScotRail to call last orders on tipples after 9pm for commuters

By CRAIG BROWN
Published on Saturday 23 June 2012 11:15
Scotsman

SCOTRAIL is to become the first UK train operator to ban the consumption of alcohol on its trains between hours of 9pm and 10am.

It will also refuse to carry people considered too drunk to travel as part of a tough new stance on drink-fuelled anti- social behaviour.

The ban, the rail company says, is a response to public concerns about the problem, and calls from the Scottish Government to take action.

ScotRail will now launch a four-week campaign to make customers aware of the impending ban, which begins on 20 July. That will be followed by a fortnight-long softly-softly approach, allowing passengers to adapt to the change.

“Last orders” will apply on trains with catering services. Alcohol will not be sold from 8:30pm and customers will be asked to finish any alcoholic drinks by 9pm.

A ScotRail spokesman said that British Transport Police (BTP) will be alerted “if passengers refuse to leave after being declined access to trains or if behaviour causes concern to train crew or customers”.

Announcing the ban yesterday, Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “Anti-social behaviour fuelled by alcohol has no place on our trains or at stations. Customers should be able to travel in a safe and friendly environment.”

He added: “It’s time to call a halt on the irresponsible minority who spoil journeys for the majority. These individuals disrupt services, and abuse staff and fellow customers.”

Mr Montgomery even claimed they “cause accidents”.

In the past six months, a Scotrail review uncovered 260 occasions when British Transport Police (BTP) responded to drink-related incidents; an increasing number of trains delayed due to anti-social behaviour; and at least one accident a week caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

ScotRail train drink ban comes into force

20 July 2012 Last updated at 02:12 BBC

Alcohol has been banned on Scottish trains in the evenings and mornings.

ScotRail said the ban, which will be enforced on its services between 21:00 and 10:00, was in response to concerns about anti-social behaviour on its trains.

People who are drunk will also be prevented from travelling on trains.

Transport Police have dealt with 260 drink-related incidents in the past six months, with an increasing number of trains being delayed as a result.

The overnight Caledonian Sleeper train to and from London is exempt from the ban, as are the east and west coast services between Scotland and England, which are not operated by ScotRail.

ScotRail runs 95% of Scotland's trains, more than 2,000 services a day. Alcohol was already prohibited on certain services carrying people to football and rugby matches and other special events.

The company carried out a four-week campaign to make customers aware of the impending ban, followed by a fortnight-long "soft" introduction of the policy.

Passengers' bags will not be searched before or during journeys and the ban will be enforced under existing railway by-laws.

"Last orders" will apply on train catering trolleys, with drink not sold from 20:30 onwards, while customers will be asked to finish any alcoholic drinks by 21:00.

British Transport Police officers will be called to deal with passengers refusing to leave trains or behaving inappropriately.