MTA warns MARC passengers on drinking
Unlike travelers on the Maryland Transit Administration's other services, riders on the MARC commuter trains have long enjoyed the privilege of consuming adult beverages while aboard.
There's apparently no move afoot to ban that practice, which has been allowed as long as the state has been running MARC trains, but there has been enough bad behavior that MARC director John Hovatter recently sent out a warning to riders not to abuse the MTA's hospitality.
MTA spokesman Terry Owens said he knows of no incidents that have resulted in a arrest, but he said the agency has heard enough complaints from crew members and passengers that Hovatter issued the following warning:
Alcohol Consumption Onboard MARC Trains
While consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted on MARC trains,
passengers are reminded that this must be done responsibly. We have
seen an increase in the number of complaints about alcohol consumption
on trains and disruptive behavior that has included loud talking, profanity,
and in some cases, physical altercations that has been associated
with drinking.
Consumption of alcohol on MARC trains is a privilege, not a right. The
MARC Train Service reserves the right to restrict alcohol consumption
if passenger behavior is not appropriate and remove from the train those
individuals that fail to abide by MARC rules and guidelines. This includes
the use of profanity, refusal to follow instructions from conductors, and
intimidation or threats to other passengers. Passengers are also reminded
that drinking and driving do not mix--MTA, State and local law enforcement
will enforce drunken driving laws.
We value you as customers and thank you for helping us maintain a safe
and pleasant atmosphere on board our trains.
John Hovatter
Director, MARC Train Service
So what do you think, MARC riders? Is the boozing getting out of hand? Is the MTA overreacting? Do you enjoy having a cold one aboard the train after a long, hard day at the office? Drop Getting There a line.
Comments
I think that the people on the light rail in the morning who were drinking and eating and the guy in the afternoon who was so drunk you could smell him would tell you that there is no finer security force than the Baltimore Metro Security.
Posted by: HarlanR | April 26, 2011 6:40 PM
How many compaints were made this past weekend? I remember an incident about two years ago on the MARC train with an Orioles fan who had been "pre-gaming" harassing a family in Yankees garb. One of the few times I felt sympathetic to a Yankees fan...
Posted by: Chris | April 26, 2011 8:08 PM
Saw a Phillies fan drunk on a MARC train last year but hadn't been drinking on the train. He got put out at New Carrollton.
I drink one beer ocasionally on a Friday on the train. I haven't seend any misbehavior involving alcohol but I'm not surprised if there are isolated incidents.
In some cases, I would also not be surprised if some prudes complained about people drinking on the trains even if there wasn't bad behavior.
Posted by: Jeff | April 26, 2011 10:51 PM
I come from a family with serious drinking problems and it makes me uncomfortable to see people drinking on the train, however I've never seen or experienced any incident that would warrant a complaint. I understand the desire, I really do, but part of me can't help but think if you can't wait until you get home, you have a problem. Not to mention the whole issue about driving home from the station afterwards. I see no reason to change the regulation. I do wish the message included something about discarding the trash.
Posted by: Colleen T. | April 27, 2011 9:42 AM
From my 5+ years on the camden line, the worst sober behavior on MARC is worse than the worst behavior from someone who was drinking. I have never seen someone drunk on the camden line in 5 years of daily riding. There are some real loudmouths, and one or two of them occasionally have a beer, and they are just as loud, but I have never seen them drunk, or harassing. Most drinkers try to hide their alcohol on the evening Camden trains. There have been some clearly sober but vitriolic or even menacing thugs that occasionally take the camden to or from Jessup, but they aren't drinking. There is no alcohol problem on the camden line.
Posted by: ackers | April 27, 2011 10:36 AM
Colleen,
I've never observed anyone having more than one beer on a MARC train (not denying it happens, just haven't ever seen it.)
I've only had one beer myself on a train ride home - for me that's about all there is time for. I usually don't drive home from the station anyway. I just do it on occasional Fridays.
If your commute is late enough like mine is, you really just want to get home ASAP when you get off the train. The time I'm having a beer on the train is the same time other people are already home or in their local bar (or even in bars at Union Station.)
I would guess some of the problems with drunk people are largely from alcohol consumed at bars in/around Union Station before they even get on the train (and add another beer or two on the train too.)
I have gotten dirty looks from some other passengers when I was having a beer on the train. I know some people leave them in the brown bags from Union Liquors, but I have it out openly.
Posted by: Jeff | April 27, 2011 10:46 AM
On train 530, the Penn line to Perryville, we who sit in the forth car from the end of the train are subjected to the loud, vulgar and drunken talk and general noise from our "party" crowd. These fine examples of public transit users will party hardy each and every day - drinking and conducting their horse's a_ _ behavior in as loud and crude a manner as possible. Now when these 'fine folks have been challenged by the conductor, they become abusive and confrontational. My hope is that MARC will put a police officer on our car to observe this crew and enforce the behavior these 'adults' should already know to follow.
Posted by: Mike | June 30, 2011 11:34 PM