On BBC News Online

Plans to ban the drinking of alcohol on London's transport system have been unveiled by new mayor Boris Johnson.

He joined London's transport commissioner Peter Hendy to set out a timeline for bringing in the measure.

The ban on the Tube, trains, buses and Docklands Light Railway was one of Mr Johnson's election pledges.

It is also part of a wider strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour. New posters were also unveiled advising passengers of the no-alcohol policy.

Mr Johnson said: "I firmly believe that if we drive out so-called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime.

"That's why from 1 June the drinking of alcohol will be banned from the tube, tram, bus, and Docklands Light Railway."

Mr Hendy said: "I am sure that cutting out boozing on public transport will be welcomed by our passengers and staff."

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said: "Public drinking and the behaviour sometimes associated with it can, and does, deeply affect people's ability to enjoy public spaces.

"Taking a firm approach to public drinking in this way sends a strong message that public drunkenness is socially unacceptable."

The only problem with that is it may encourage drunk people to drive, seeing as it's an offence to ride the tube drunk.

The only problem with that is it may encourage drunk people to drive, seeing as it's an offence to ride the tube drunk.
It may cause the problem of drunk having to walk home?

There again reading this correctly, it is DRINKING on The Tube that is NOT allowed, so can a drunk (steaming with alcohol) still be allowed to travel on public transport, even though not carrying any drink of any form?

There again reading this correctly, it is DRINKING on The Tube that is NOT allowed, so can a drunk (steaming with alcohol) still be allowed to travel on public transport, even though not carrying any drink of any form?


Boris Johnson said that drinking on the tube would be banned (surprised it wasn't before) but Don Shenker's statement at the bottom doesn't differentiate between the two using the words 'drinking and the behaviour associated with it'.

They also say it's a 'wider strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour'. Drunken behaviour is what I would call anti-social behaviour.

Regardless, I think it is a step in the right direction.  :)

Boris Johnson said that drinking would be on the tube would be banned (surprised it wasn't before) but Don Shenker's statement at the bottom doesn't differentiate between the two using the words 'drinking and the behaviour associated with it'.

They also say it's a 'wider strategy to tackle anti-social behaviour'. Drunken behaviour is what I would call anti-social behaviour.

Regardless, I think it is a step in the right direction.  :)
...no more cabaret on the tube journey home.

...no more cabaret on the tube journey home.


Instead of singing 'Roll out the barrell' it would be roll out the train from Islington to Paddington, lol.

Instead of singing 'Roll out the barrell' it would be roll out the train from Islington to Paddington, lol.
...does that include the drivers?

ahhh..that's too bad.  No more impromptu wine tasting parties on the Paddington Station line.  lol

ahhh..that's too bad.  No more impromptu wine tasting parties on the Paddington Station line.  lol
It has been known for people (students) to have parties on the Circle Line. The is the line whe the trains do go round (circular) all day.

It has been known for people (students) to have parties on the Circle Line. The is the line whe the trains do go round (circular) all day.


Really? LOL!!!

I've heard of house parties but tube parties!?!  ;D

I'm surprised to hear alcohol consumption was legal on public transport in the first place. 

In the U.S. (most places where viable mass transport exists) you can ride drunk all to hell so long as you behave.  You just can't consume alcohol or possess open containers of alcohol on transport facilities. 

I've got no problem with that.

Sounds like a decent enough idea to me.  Maybe the chavs will settle down some....

Really? LOL!!!

I've heard of house parties but tube parties!?!  ;D
Definitely true, I have witness one. I was sitting in an adjacent carriage and I could view the going ons through the windows at the end of the carriage. While the train is motion the party would be in full swing and as the train pulls into a station all the revellers would sit down (glasses or cans in hand) as if nothing is happening.