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ScotRail train drink ban comes into force

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ScotRail
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ScotRail said passengers had raised concerns about drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour

Alcohol has been banned on Scottish trains in the evenings and mornings.

ScotRail said the ban, which will be enforced on its services between 21:00 and 10:00, was in response to concerns about anti-social behaviour on its trains.

People who are drunk will also be prevented from travelling on trains.

Transport Police have dealt with 260 drink-related incidents in the past six months, with an increasing number of trains being delayed as a result.

The overnight Caledonian Sleeper train to and from London is exempt from the ban, as are the east and west coast services between Scotland and England which are not operated by ScotRail.

ScotRail runs 95% of Scotland's trains, more than 2,000 services a day. Alcohol was already prohibited on certain services carrying people to football and rugby matches and other special events.

The company carried out a four-week campaign to make customers aware of the impending ban, followed by a fortnight-long "soft" introduction of the policy.

Passengers' bags will not be searched before or during journeys and the ban will be enforced under existing railway by-laws.

"Last orders" will apply on train catering trolleys, with drink not sold from 20:30 onwards, while customers will be asked to finish any alcoholic drinks by 21:00.

British Transport Police officers will be called to deal with passengers refusing to leave trains or behaving inappropriately.

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