ScotRail booze ban is unenforceable, says rail union

The Herald Scotland

04-05-2025

Speaking to The Herald, RMT Scotland Organiser Gordon Martin said: "It is not the job of rail workers to police the anti-social behaviour of passengers, and it is clear the rules around alcohol consumption cannot be adequately enforced.
"What we need is for ScotRail to take real responsibility for dealing with anti-social and violent conduct, and to ensure every assault on staff is treated seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
Speaking before Holyrood's Net Zero, Energy, and Transport Committee, Maguire said: 'If staff are on the train, they cannot intervene and ask people not to drink', the rails boffin said, adding: 'There is no statistical link in terms of antisocial behavior in the consumption of alcohol on the train.'
The ban has not stopped people from drinking on board. (Image: Newsquest) Exclusive data obtained by The Herald through a Freedom of Information request earlier this year found there were 971 anti-social incidents recorded at Scotland's rail stations in 2024.
That compares to 1029 incidents in 2023 and 915 in 2022.
An anonymous station worker said: 'I've had to clean up blood and have seen someone carrying a knife, witnessed assaults against women who had their children with them.
'People run riot and there is often no one there to control them. I have had customers come to me when they're frightened. It's happening most days – vandalising, smoking, drinking, being abusive to myself and other customers.'
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Meanwhile, two national alcohol charities have expressed support for the ban.
Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, told The Herald: 'While we can all avoid going to a pub, many of us cannot avoid being on a train or any form of public transport.
Dr Piper added: "We want to be encouraging, not discouraging, usage of public transport, and that means creating safe environments for all of us.
'So, yes, the alcohol ban on trains should absolutely remain, just like the ban on smoking, and it is not unenforceable. It simply needs the will and the mechanism to enforce it."
Laura Mahon of Alcohol Focus Scotland said relaxing the rules would 'send the wrong message'.
She noted: 'It would be a step in the wrong direction, and send entirely the wrong message, to repeal the alcohol ban on public transport – particularly whilst Scotland is in the grip of an alcohol health emergency.
'There are strong links between alcohol and anti-social behaviour and crime. Public transport should be accessible and inclusive for everyone, including our children.
'Train staff should also be able to come to work without fear of alcohol driven abuse or assault.'
Alcohol charities have praised the ban (Image: Pexels) The prohibition on drinking alcohol on ScotRail services was brought in November 2020 as a result of pandemic-era Covid restrictions, and was extended 'for the foreseeable future' in 2022.
The ban is in place 24/7 and prohibits the drinking of alcohol at any Scottish station or on any ScotRail service. Alcohol cannot be carried if it is visible, even if it is unopened, but may be carried in a bag.
There have not been any prosecutions as a result of the ban over the last three years, leading to questions about its efficacy.
Prior to the embargo, alcohol could be consumed between 10am and 9pm.
Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden, a critic of the embargo, said: 'ScotRail's booze ban is not only unenforceable, it's completely pointless. Yet SNP ministers still refuse to scrap it.
'The managing director of the nationalised rail company has admitted there is no link between alcohol consumption onboard and antisocial behaviour, so why cling onto a policy that serves no purpose?'
Douglas Lumsden has criticised the ban (Image: PA) In response to Ms Maguire's testimony, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said ministers would review 'diverging views' on the issue before making a decision on whether to continue the ban.
'We are aware that passengers, ScotRail staff and other interested parties hold a wide range of views about alcohol on trains.
'Whilst we do appreciate that the majority of passengers who consume alcohol would not cause any concerns to train staff or other passengers, we know that alcohol can play a role in anti-social behaviour displayed on public transport and in wider society.'
The spokesperson continued: 'Passenger safety, especially women and girls', on public transport is paramount. This is why safety is considered an important factor in our deliberations on this matter.'