As of the 1st of June, the new mayor of London, Boris Johnson has banned alcohol on the tube, London buses, Docklands Light Railway, and tram services and stations across London. In response to this, there was a party organised on the Circle line to celebrate the end of legalised drinking on public transport. Needless to say, it quickly got out of hand.
I think this is a clear indication that drinking on the tube IS hazardous and SHOULD be banned. Violence, vandalism, injuries, not to mention the vomit. What (I'm hoping) was meant to be a fun party before the alcohol ban spiralled out of control. According to this article, the organisers of the event advised party-goers to be 'responsible' and considerate. Why does binge-drinking have to be such a cornerstone of British culture?
I do worry about the problems that will occur in enforcing such a ban, but as long as it is, I'm all for the drinking ban. What do you think? Drinking on the tube, yes or no?
I would have thought it just common sense not to drink of public transport and would have assumed the only ones that found it necessery were people who were alcohol dependent?
ReplyDeleteI find it really strange that if it's illegal to drink in certain parts of a city then why was it still legal to drink on public transport?! My mind boggles!
Deffinate no no for me!
I'm not sure how possible it'll be to enforce it, but I'm concerned enough about personal safety on public transport (I was once violently groped on the Paris metro) without people being drunk. I have nothing against drinking, and I know that people who drink before getting on public transport are just as likely to be a problem, but this does seem like it'd make the tube safer.
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