According to a NY Sun article appearing on January 17th, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member has indicated an interest in banning the sale of alcoholic beverages on LIRR and Metro-North trains, due to the concern that drinking on trains poses several safety hazards for riders. 

However, since 1950, the LIRR has been selling alcohol on platforms and aboard trains and Metro-North has been serving it since 1976.  In that time - according to reporting by the Sun and also cited on the blog gothamist.com no car accidents have been directly related to onboard drinking have been reported and bartenders on the trains are not allowed to sell alcohol to passengers who seem to them to be inebriated.  Unfortunately I do not have a citation for the source of this research to check its accuracy, but from my experience commuting, the reality of the situation is that commuters are only buying a beer to carry on the train.  And if you’re heading to the bar car (for those on the Metro North New Haven line) it’s crowded and the bartenders are not allowed to sell alcohol to passengers who seem to them to be inebriated. 

Here’s the way I see it: what’s wrong with having a drink on the way home from work?  After a long day, the commuter rail can be a social environment, a time to unwind and enjoy conversation with your friends (or just quietly enjoy the end of the day).  You’re not driving, and as long as you are being responsible knowing that you need to get in a car following your commute, there should be no issue.  In fact, if you read the recent New Yorker on the same subject, you’ll find that enjoying a cocktail or beer on the way home from work has become a way of life for many commuters. 

Now - I know that some will say that there are those that are not responsible and thus putting others at risk.  But reading the recent backlash from the affected commuters on these trains, it seems to me that this isn’t the environment that these trains breed. 

Instead of banning the sale of alcohol altogether on commuter lines, couldn’t the MTA consider addressing the issue of social responsibility in a more active way on the trains?  Why not work to have local taxi service numbers posted in the bar cars, just to ensure that commuters have access to them? 

It just seems that before taking the step to fully ban the sale of alcohol, there are a number of steps to be considered along the way.

Hope everyone has made it through the first hurdle of the holidays safely.  As the festive season gets into full swing, it occurs to me that there is an increased importance of planning your transportation needs to and from holiday parties ahead of time.  I know, in my house, nearly every evening of the week and then again on the weekend from now until New Years, it seems there is some holiday function, event or after-work get together to attend.  Ok - so it’s not every night - but the social schedule is certainly in full-swing.  And though I love the celebration of it all, I also know that when it’s time to leave - I had better know how I’m getting home because by the time the party is over - it’s too late to figure out who is going to drive.  

As you get swept up in the evening, talking to friends you haven’t seen in awhile, or catching up with family or co-workers, you may not realize how much you’ve had to drink.  That’s not to say that every night is a long, meandering trip down memory lane only to wake up in the morning having wished you hadn’t had that last cocktail.  But, why take the chance any night?  When you start the evening with a safe ride home - there’s no need to even question your abilities when the party is winding down.  A combination of drinking responsibly and getting a safe ride home will ensure everyone has a happy and wonderful holiday.  It’s just that easy!

In my neighborhood, we’ve talked about planning a night out with all the neighbors at a local restaurant.  But in the spirit of the holidays, we’ve decided if we’re going to do it, we’re going to rent a “fun bus” to take us to the neighboring town and bring us home.  That way we know that everyone can enjoy the atmosphere and celebration, without worrying about getting home safely. 

Some other ideas I’ve heard of among my other friends - making sure that they have taxi service posted visibly in their homes during holiday parties, and having multiple car service numbers in their cell phones should their trusty backup service be subject to the inevitable holiday backlog.  It also doesn’t hurt to have some extra bedding ready to go - just in case your guests decide it’s better just to stay the night.

I know it’s common sense to plan ahead - but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded once in awhile, does it?

Happy holidays!