A few train lines already have a ban on alcohol, such as LNER, which runs ‘dry services’. In November, ScotRail also banned alcohol on its services and stations, after a number of incidents where “people who are extremely drunk” were “showing complete disregard towards Covid-19 precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping a physical distance from others”.
London’s Tube has also had a total ban on drinking alcohol since 2008, brought in by then London Mayor Boris Johnson to curb antisocial behaviour.
However, many national train services allow drinking and also service alcohol on board for longer journeys.
Rail sources told The Telegraph that currently there were no industry-wide plans to restrict alcohol on Christmas services and that individual operators were responsible for their own policy.
Prof Hunter warned that it was imperative to maintain social distancing in the Christmas travel period, when many people would be journeying to spend time with older, more vulnerable relatives.
He added: “If you are responsible for the deaths of people who, if they delayed getting their infection by four to six weeks, they would have been immune and had the vaccine, that would be a tragedy.”
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “The British Transport Police deploys officers across the rail network, to support and intervene where necessary. This currently includes engaging with the travelling public regarding Covid-19 regulations in line with Government advice.”
