Achi news desk-
It revealed that 56% of passengers want to see an end to the ban, with only 29% in favor of keeping it. A further 15% responded “maybe/don’t know”.
READ MORE: The public is 50/50 at the end of the drink ban Scotrail, claims operator
The figures appear to be at odds with previous comments from ScotRail bosses.
Appearing before Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee last month, Alex Hynes, who is leaving his post as managing director of Scotland’s Railway this week, told MSPs that there was “no clear winner in terms of public opinion”.
“The ban on alcohol divides opinion,” he said. “Everyone has an opinion on it. Some people would love to be able to drink on trains and some people are fiercely against drinking on trains.
ScotRail Chief Operating Officer Joanne Maguire agreed. He said there was “about a 50/50 split on the opinion of alcohol”.
Strict rules banning drinking were brought in just under four years ago at the start of the pandemic in an attempt to keep travelers at a social distance.
Before that, passengers could drink after 10am and before 9pm and could buy beer, wine and spirits on most trains.
ScotRail launched a consultation at the end of last year, asking customers who logged onto the free wifi to answer yes or no to the question: “Would you support ScotRail removing the permanent alcohol ban on trains and in stations? ”
He asked a second question: “If the current total alcohol ban were to continue, would this affect your decision to travel with ScotRail for leisure trips in the future?”
Around 28% said it would make them less inclined to travel, while 21% said they would be more likely to travel.
A further 51% said it would not affect them either way.
READ MORE: Can you drink on ScotRail trains? No, and let’s keep it that way
Other correspondence released to the Herald shows that, as well as public support, others involved with the national train company are ending the ban.
An email from Scott Prentice, Director of Strategic Planning at ScotRail, to someone at Transport Scotland, said that “uncertainty and inconsistent enforcement of the ban is the most frequently raised topic in staff safety briefings.”
He added: “Trade Unions, Staff, [British Transport Police] and Transport Focus [the independent watchdog representing the interests of Britain’s rail passengers] all support a return to the previous policy” embraced by the company.
The correspondence also mentions a YouGov poll, but there are no other details and ScotRail declined to comment.
Ultimately, the decision to retain or remove the ban rests with the Scottish Government.
Scottish Conservative shadow transport minister Graham Simpson said Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop should “look again at the issue”.
He said: “This ban was introduced during the Covid era and, thankfully, with the fact that it has passed, I think it’s time to go back to the pre-pandemic rules on alcohol consumption on trains.
“The survey shows a clear majority in favor of ending the ban on drink. It was introduced for good reason during the Covid pandemic. “That has now passed so Fiona Hyslop should revisit the matter. It doesn’t have to mean free for all as there would be exceptions.
“This view is supported not only by the majority of ScotRail passengers but by many in the rail industry.”
READ MORE: Peak train ticket prices on ScotRail must go permanently, unions say
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “It is clear that passengers, staff and other interested parties about alcohol on trains have a wide range of views.
“Ministers will take time to carefully consider different views, in line with the wide range of recommendations made in our recent report on the safety of women and girls on public transport, before making any decision.
“Until then, the ban on alcohol will remain in place.”
