Rail users hit back against bosses plea to ‘sober up’

PASSENGERS have hit back at Northern Rail after they said people who get too drunk at the Christmas Markets wouldn’t be allowed on their trains.

Scores of people on social media joked that they’d be lucky to catch a train at all following the cuts to services caused by strike action.

The backlash came after the train operator ran an appeal warning people not to let ‘excessive drinking’ at the markets lead to anti-social behaviour.

Regional director Liam Sumpter said people who ‘overdo the celebrating’ might ‘not being allowed home’ on the trains.

Responding on Twitter, hacking4chorlton wrote: “What a joke. Completely scandalous comment.” And George McKenzie posted: “Hahahahahaha need to run some trains before you can kick us off em lads.” Twitter user Kathy chipped in saying: “Getting on one sober is difficult enough...”

While Emma McNulty added: “Train? You mean that’s still a mode of transport to and from Manchester? Who knew.”

Umar Muhammad posted on Facebook: “Most people would be sober by the time their so called trains turn up.”

There will be a reduced service on Northern trains every Saturday until December 29 due to a union walk-out over the role of guards on trains. Trains will run between 7am and 7pm, with many last trains leaving before 7pm. Rail bosses expect average passenger numbers at Piccadilly station to rise from a daily average of 120,000 a day to around 160,000 a day.

Northern has been contacted for comment.