LIRR Booze Ban Misses the Mark

When instituted in May, the Long Island Rail Road's ban on alcoholic beverages on late-night weekend trains was presented as a way to ensure against unruly and drunken passengers traveling to and from games at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.

According to the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the ban on all alcoholic beverages, opened and unopened, is already in place from midnight to 5 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

But the last train on nights when the Brooklyn Nets play is scheduled to depart Atlantic Terminal at 11:55 p.m.—five minutes before the ban takes effect.

Fans will still be subject to MTA's ban on alcohol en route to Jamaica Station in Queens after 12 a.m. However, the midnight start time for the transit agency's alcohol ban means that throngs of arena goers will be able to bring booze on trains arriving and departing Brooklyn before then.

An MTA spokesman said the ban's midnight start time wouldn't put a damper on enforcement efforts at Atlantic Terminal on game days.

"We're there, and anyone who is inebriated and causing a ruckus will be dealt with by police," he said.

As for concerts and other special events at the arena, LIRR's booze ban may prove to be more effective.

The last train leaving Atlantic Terminal on those nights is scheduled to depart at 12:41 a.m.