A New Slippier Kind Of Slope

The fact is that slopes in the 21st century are steeper and more slippery. To wit: the MTA goes from talking about stopping sales of alcohol to banning it altogether in just one week:

Big brother may be coming for your Bud tallboy, Metro-North and LIRR commuters.

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow is forming a task force to consider a possible ban on drinking alcohol on commuter railroad trains. The task force also will review a watered-down measure that would allow riders to bring their own libations onto trains, but cease the railroads from selling booze to passengers.

“My personal opinion is we should severely limit, at least limit, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages,” Kalikow said after a Metropolitan Transportation Authority board meeting.

. . .

Both railroads sell beer, wine and liquor from carts on the platforms of Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station and a few other hubs during the weekday evening rushes. Riders can also bring alcoholic beverages onto trains.

Two LIRR commuter trains sell alcohol onboard and some trains on Metro-North’s New Haven Line have bar cars that are operated by the state of Connecticut. Connecticut would have to agree to turning off the taps on those trains, MTA officials said.

Even if the task force recommends a “last call for alcohol” there’s hope for commuters who enjoy a cocktail on their trips. The full MTA board would have to approve such a measure. That could take some time. Kalikow said the task force would review all existing railroad rules to see if other changes are warranted.