Vox Populi

Here at Omnibuses, we at least try to keep abreast of what’s stirring on the ground, so to speak. Or on the road. In the light of prime minister Blair’s contentious U-turn on banning drinking on public transport, Haidee of Bournemouth has undertaken a vox pop on the subject. We précis it here:

Long standing Wilts & Dorset bus driver BR has dealt with drunken behaviour. "It comes with the territory. It’s company policy that no food or drink, let alone alcohol, is to be consumed on our buses," he said. BR has frequently been confronted with abuse, never violence and remains unfazed.

A 26 year old Boscombe PC had never experienced any incidences of violence owing to drinking on public transport in his three years as a working police officer. "The problems mainly lie with football supporters travelling to and from football matches and with teenagers at the weekend."

ZW, a 19 year old Bournemouth University student, has been asked several times not to drink before boarding a bus. "I just neck it before I get on," he said. "Even if Blair had banned alcohol, it would be impossible to enforce. Everyone would carry on drinking anyway."

40 year old Bournemouth taxi driver MB has come across violence in his cab, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. "I was once held at knifepoint by a passenger who was already half-cut". He agreed that a ban would be impossible to enforce for several reasons. "People are often drunk before getting into my cab. If people are on their way to a party and have alcohol with them, where would Blair draw the line?"