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LIRR Booze Ban Misses the Mark

Ban on alcoholic beverages to take effect only after the last trains leave Atlantic Terminal after Brooklyn Nets games.

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.

Sonia October 10, 2012 at 08:10 pm
If you are heavy drinking on a train past midnight; you probably need a ban. Nets game or not.
Shaun October 11, 2012 at 01:08 pm
Or, if u are drinking on a train after midnight you are a responsible adult who wisely took the train.
DoxyMom October 11, 2012 at 02:46 pm
Not really. LIRR riders usually have their cars parked by the train station to drive home.
Stefano Giovannini October 11, 2012 at 03:32 pm
What does the ban on "unopened alcohol beverages" mean? If someone wants to take home a couple of bottle of wine bought at some fine store would they be breaking the law? sounds like something out of 1984!
BRADY October 11, 2012 at 10:34 pm
why aren't the rules and regulations the same for the LIRR trains as they are for NYC transit trains
B Chavez October 12, 2012 at 04:42 am
Alcohol generates revenue. Enough said.
BRADY October 12, 2012 at 01:41 pm
then how come no BARCAR on the D train
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