Boris Watch

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'm surprised we aren't hearing more about a nanny state

[david_carnell]

Obviously it doesn't apply to those trains leaving/arriving into London that serve booze from a trolley or buffet car?

What about a snifter from a hip flask?

If I use a wine glass can I have a drink then?

Who is going to stop me?

A well thought out policy? Nah, this is Bozza we're talking about.

[Keef]

Have a word David, it is a very nice idea, and trains with food / drink carts are not buses or tubes are they.

I agree it may well be unenforcable, but it is a good idea! I'm not the type to feel easily imtimmidated, but I have felt nervous a couple of times when a bunch of Stella guzzling tw@ts have got on the bus and started abusing everyone!

[*Bob*]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I agree it may well be unenforcable, but it is a

> good idea!

What next, Boris?

Building a theme park on the moon (served by an extension to the Victoria line)?

[Ted Max]

You get the odd twat ostentatiously smoking a strong cannibis cigarette on the train/ bus, but generally the smoking ban is enforceable. Of course, what you need is a certain level of cultural acceptance and self-policing. It may take a while but it may to be impossible to enforce.

[Keef]

Not really a fair dig there *bob*.

Bus conductors on a new routemaster might be an answer...

I saw many times in the past, a bus conductor confronting trouble makers, and then being backed up by everyone else on the bus. People don't want to ask someone to behave, but once the conducter started it, peope were happy to back them up.

[*Bob*]

Will there be a conductor in every underground carriage?

[Cassius]

If you can't manage your journey on a bus or a tube without the need for an alcoholic drink then maybe you're the one with the problem not Boris. I like a drink or ten, but its not necessary to me all the time.

I would think that a load of tanked up yoots knocking back cans of wife-beater could be very intimidating to others - and after all public transport is for the general public, not just sections of it.

No matter what you or I think of Boris - we've got him for 4 years - so why not give the guy some time and space. All the moaning and groaning in the world is not going to make him go away!

[Ted Max]

Aren't we all, in a very real sense, conductors, Bob?

>

Really, it's about cultural non/ acceptance.

[Keef]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Will there be a conductor in every underground carriage?

No, I suspect there won't be any bus conductors on the underground, unless of course they are off duty and heading home.

[mockney piers]

It's a nice noise to make, ultimately pretty unenforceable, but then everyone thought that Ireland would ignore the smoking ban, but it went very well, as by and large it has here.

It is about engendering a change of culture and attitude, whether it works remains to be seen, but have a go, learn your lessons, adjust tactics accordingly.

Plus I don't think any of this is enshrined in law is it, just 'the management won't tolerate' so hardly a nanny state.

I personally can't see it making any difference on the night buses, and I've rarely seen anyone drinking during the day, so *meh* basically...but...you know....

[*Bob*]

I see myself more in the wind section, Ted.

I voted for Ken but I'm happy to see what Boris does (perhaps with a modicum of pisstaking).. he did win, after all.

I think the no booze thing is rubbish, though. Not because I demand booze on a tube, but because it's a rubbish idea which will be ignored and unenforced.

95% of people who drink on public transport are at the start of their evening and are generally in a good mood.

The other 5% won't give a toss anyway.

[Brendan]

Wait hold on. Am I getting this right? You mean up until now I have been allowed to drink on the bus?

[*Bob*]

Only on certain routes, between 6pm and 7pm.

'Happy Hour'

[Brendan]

Well I think banning it is a stupid idea. In fact they should sell cold beer on rush-hour buses. The profits will easily pay for any new transport upgrades.

On a sunny afternoon, on the 185 home from work I would be grateful for a few bottles of cold beer or perhaps a super sonic or three.

[Keef]

They'd need to introduce Urinals and an open air smoking section though!

[*Bob*]

I'm sorry, Brendan.

I'm afraid you're simply not grown-up enough to decide whether to have a bottle of beer on the bus or not. The danger of you intimidating other passengers is simply too great a risk.

[Ted Max]

Street hawkers could surround the buses as they stack up at Elephant and other hotspots, passing pepsis, sunflower seeds and live chicken through the windows to the perspiring commuters.

[mockney piers]

"They'd need to introduce Urinals and an open air smoking section though!"

Open top routemasters and pissing out the side...job done

[david_carnell]

Keef Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Have a word David, it is a very nice idea, and

> trains with food / drink carts are not buses or

> tubes are they.

No, they are not. But they are still enclosed transport systems to which the same rules still apply. If it is deemed appropriate to sell booze on one but not be allowed to bring your own onto another there is some faulty logic somewhere. Unless the plan is to start selling TfL branded beer at bus stops and they want to eliminate the competition first.

> I agree it may well be unenforcable, but it is a

> good idea! I'm not the type to feel easily

> imtimmidated, but I have felt nervous a couple of

> times when a bunch of Stella guzzling tw@ts have

> got on the bus and started abusing everyone!

Granted, as have I; but do you not think that then challenging them to give up the aforementioned Stella might actually do more harm to passenger safety and wellbeing than just letting them swig a few cans on their journey?

[Ant]

"Open top routemasters and pissing out the side...job done"

Does that also include the laydeez, Mockers?

As for the abusive twats tanked up on wifebeater, if they're behaving badly enough to merit intervention based on this shonky ban are they not also behaving badly enough to merit intervention based on other, existing legislation that's meant to curb such behaviour?

[Keef]

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> No, they are not. But they are still enclosed

> transport systems to which the same rules still

> apply.

But the same rule don't apply, the trains are out of the mayor's grasp, which is why a disabled person can use their freedom pass on buses, tubes and DLR at any time, but have to wait til half 9 for the trains. A complete pain in the arse if you happen to need to catch a train to get to work.

[david_carnell]

Yes, I'm aware of the legal differences but the point remains - why do the rail companies think it is perfectly accpetable for you to enjoy a train journey with the delights of a G&T whilst Bozza would like to prevent you from doing so.

And like Ant, I would think anti-social behaviour due to alcohol is already illegal anyway so why bother to further legislate.

It just smacks of populism, that's all.

[*Bob*]

TODAY... Their Stella on the Northern Line

TOMORROW... Your Chablis in Dulwich Park

[Ted Max]

Gigs should be advertised in the What's On section, Bob.