Kids & Family
Do You Agree with LIRR's Decision to Ban Alcohol on Weekend Trains?
Cast your vote in Patch's poll on whether you think the railroad should prevent passengers from carrying alcohol onto the trains.
The Long Island Rail Road will indefinitely ban alcohol on its late night weekend trains beginning May 14 in an effort to halt rowdy behavior from passengers, an LIRR spokesman said.
Passengers will no longer be able to carry alcoholic beverages - opened or unopened - onto trains leaving Penn Station on Saturday and Sunday between midnight and 5 a.m.
Riders will also not be allowed to have alcohol on any LIRR trains between the same hours. Those caught will be issued a warning and their beverages will be confiscated, the LIRR spokesman said.
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The ban follows two incidents last month during which conductors were assaulted by inebriated passengers. It will begin in conjunction with the , which begin on May 14.
But May 18 will be the first night during which the ban goes into effect. The rail road will soon place signs at city stations as well as make announcements to alert riders to the new rules, the spokesman said.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In addition, police could screen passengers boarding trains once the ban begins.
Patch wants to know: Do you agree with the LIRR's decision to ban alcohol on late night trains? Vote in our poll and add your comments to the section provided below.
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