Facebook party to mourn the demise of “party trains”

Russia can. And so can Hamburg. Clamp down on alcohol consumption in public places, that is. Arguing that trains and buses are not pubs on wheels, the city’s authorities have ruled that as of 1 September 2011 drinking alcohol on public transport will be illegal. As of 1 October 2011, fines of EUR 40 (USD 58) will be issued to those found wandering around stations and bus stops with as much as an open beer bottle.

A telephone poll among 1200 Hamburg citizens last year revealed that 86 percent are in favour of banning alcohol consumption on Hamburg’s public trains and buses. They said they are fed up with having to wade through beer spillages while being intimidated by anti-social behaviour.

In response, several tens of thousands have joined a Facebook party to come together for a “Hamburg public transport farewell boozing” on 30 September 2011 between 8 pm and 11 pm.

How many will actually turn up for the biggest “booze in” in Hamburg is anybody’s guess.

Still, the authorities fear they could face a situation as in London in 2008, when on 30 September thousands drank themselves silly on the Underground to demonstrate their opposition to a ban on alcohol consumption coming into effect the following day.

London eye-witnesses reported that drunken partygoers began fighting and vomiting, ripping up maps and adverts, spilling alcohol and leaving debris. It took the authorities a few days and immense cost to clean up the mess.

Unlike Russia, whose tough new anti-alcohol law, passed in July 2011, has also banned the sale of alcohol at kiosks and train stations, the Hamburg ban ignores these outlets. Commuters will still be able to buy beer and spirits at the station but they must not consume alcohol while on board of trains and buses.

However, as in Russia, many seasoned Hamburg citizens wonder how the ban will be enforced. Hamburg’s public transport authorities said they have hired over 100 extra staff to police trains and buses.

Come 30 September and we shall know how effective these measures are.