Don’t get drunk and then catch the train home...
RAIL BOSSES WARN THAT TOO-TIPSY TRAVELLERS COULD BE BARRED FROM BOARDING
TRAIN bosses are warning Christmas revellers not to get drunk and potentially violent before travelling – or risk being barred from boarding.
With Manchester’s Christmas markets up and running, Northern Rail have issued a tailor-made appeal to those tempted to get ‘carried away’ with a few too many Gluhwein. Under the tag line, ‘Don’t be the Grinch in Manchester this Christmas,’ they have warned not to let ‘excessive drinking’ lead to ‘antisocial behaviour and violence.’
The entreaty comes as the operator prepares to slash more than a third of services on Saturday due to strike action, along with a number of cancellations on Sunday in the midst of engineering works and staffing issues. Union walk-outs over the role of guards on trains will then hit every Saturday until December 29. And during the Christmas markets, already packed services are expected to become even busier.
Liam Sumpter, regional director for Northern said: “Christmas is a fantastic time of year and the markets in Manchester give everyone the chance to have fun in the lead up to the big day.
“However, with so much food and drink on offer it’s easy to get carried away and overdo the celebrating – and this could result in you not being allowed home on our trains.”
He warned that Northern staff, supported by British Transport Police, may refuse travel to anyone who is thought to be too drunk.
Liam added: “We will not tolerate any behaviour that puts customers or staff at risk. Of course, we don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves. But we are calling on our customers to respect others and help make sure everyone has the best possible Christmas.”
Chief Insp Dave Rams, of BTP, encouraged passengers to enjoy the festive fun ‘with a tipple or two,’ but added: “Please don’t overdo it and risk having to fork out for a cab home because you’ve been refused travel on the train. Most importantly since it’s the season of goodwill, please respect rail staff who are doing their very best to get you home safely. Be patient and be nice. We understand it’s easy to get stressed with the added pressures of Christmas, crowded trains and packed stations but please keep an even temper.”
Rail chiefs expect passenger numbers at Manchester Piccadilly station to rise from a daily average of 120,000 to around 160,000.
Passengers are also being urged to think ahead and plan their journeys if they will be travelling over the Christmas period. As well as strike action, Network Rail will be carrying out improvement work across Britain between December 24 and January 2 which may affect journeys.