The People Have Spoken . . . And They Want You To Shut Your Pie Hole

Every once in a while it can be really satisfying to witness an idealistic one-man campaign get unceremoniously snuffed out:

Faced with an overwhelmingly negative response to the proposed ban, a committee of the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s] board has recommended that the cocktail hour be allowed to continue on the trains and platforms of the Long Island and Metro-North railroads, according to a member of the committee and two people briefed on its findings. The full board is expected to take up the issue next month, and appears likely to follow the recommendation.

. . .

The authority first agreed to consider a halt to alcohol sales on commuter trains and in rail stations in December, at the urging of Mitchell H. Pally, a board member from Long Island. Mr. Pally said he was concerned that passengers would drink on the train and then drive home, creating a liability for the authority if they became involved in an accident. He also said he worried that rowdy drinkers might be disturbing other passengers.

A committee of five board members was created shortly afterward to study the idea.

. . .

Gene Colonese, the rail administrator for the Connecticut Transportation Department, said that an official from the department met with the committee in April and strongly urged it not to change the policy, saying alcohol sales were “a valuable service to our customers.”

The committee also met with the presidents of the two railroads, conductors and a representative of the authority’s police force, which patrols the commuter trains and stations. “There was no overwhelming evidence of drunkenness or anything like that, or accidents,” the board member said.

He said the only person who met with the committee to speak in favor of the ban was Mr. Pally.

Earlier: The Tallboy Rebellion, Follow The Money.