Health

New London Mayor to Ban Drinking on the Tube

by jordan | May 7, 2008 at 10:43 am

746 views | 5 Recommendations | 4 comments

I was amazed, when I first visited the UK back in 1994, that drinking was allowed on public transportation. Since then, smoking has been banned on planes and just about everywhere else, but folks can still booze it up on the tube. For now, anyway... newly-elected mayor Boris Johnson is aiming to ban subterranean swilling.

Mr Johnson was elected last week on a manifesto commitment to ban drink from the Underground, part of his wider pledge to cut down on violence and anti-social behaviour in public places.

Trams, buses and Docklands Light Railway will also be covered by the ban, which will apply from the start of next month.

Unveiling new posters to publicise the ban, Mr Johnson today said that the new restriction would have wider social benefits.

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René

at 11:39 on May 7th, 2008

The 'Tube'? Is that TV? or is it subway? and will private flasks be frisked? No wine with dinner? Guess these guys don't have enough to do, gotta come up with more new laws to protect the public. Hope they banned bombs and suicide vests too.

Beaulieu

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:22 on May 7th, 2008

jordan, I like this story.

I think also they should be much stricter on trains too; countless times train journeys are spoilt on Friday and Saturday nights by late night drinkers, and they mess up the train seats, and you get lone drunk men (and ladette women) not knowing where they end up, as they're totally out of it. Some trains had to be removed from service on Fridays because of the mess. He also needs to tackle drugs on trains as Brixton, for example, is one of the worst places and passengers often find syringes on their seats as well on the London to Brighton line. It is not something train companies 'talk about'.

Darkales

at 19:25 on May 7th, 2008

One of my regulars, it's an Ale !!

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robban_bobban

at 12:59 on May 8th, 2008

this is how our tubes, trains, trams and buses may look in the not too distant future. I am not sure that this will have any major effect. those that currently disobey already smoke on buses and those that don't remember kings cross fire smoke on late night trains undeterred. there are no police, nor guards, nor inspectors to enforce this rule. drinking is only antisocial when someone swears in your face, sits next to you with a kebab or picks a fight with you. this happens to an inordinate amount of londoners without any booze involved from arrogant little wannabes so i think boris is after a votewinner from outer london and the shires tory voters, rather than putting people on the trains to deal with the problem. if people followed the signes, there would be no speeding, but there are always the minority who hit the headlines for causing serious road accidents. the same poorly educated and neglected and ignored youth require help with the cause, not the problem. Listen please boris

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