ScotRail Alcohol Ban (Compliance)

General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 7 November 2024.

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Photo of John Mason John Mason Scottish National Party

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on levels of compliance with ScotRail’s alcohol ban. (S6O-03906)

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

Although ScotRail staff will observe some passengers drinking alcohol on trains and in appropriate circumstances ask that they refrain, staff do not record such observations or action each time it occurs on train services. ScotRail does not record or collate instances of those drinking alcohol network-wide; rather, data is focused on reports of incidents of antisocial behaviour made by passengers or staff to it and British Transport Police, and therefore no information is held. Those of us who regularly travel on our railway know that there are instances of non-compliance with the ban.

Photo of John Mason John Mason Scottish National Party

As the cabinet secretary says, there is frequent non-compliance. I saw it in Dumfries recently when I was on the train, and I see it in Glasgow and Edinburgh frequently as well. Clearly, the ban is not being enforced. ScotRail does not like it and its staff refuse to do anything with it. They joke with passengers who are drinking alcohol and make no effort to stop them. British Transport Police does not agree with the ban either and says that it cannot be enforced. Surely we either have to remove the ban or do something to make it enforceable.

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

The member identifies the dilemma very clearly. That is why I am actively looking at the issue. Tackling and preventing violence against women and girls and wider antisocial behaviour has to be the main focus. That was made clear to me in the message that I received from the round-table session on women’s safety on public transport that I held on 6 December last year. Broader action on antisocial behaviour—with or without drunkenness—not the alcohol ban was deemed to be the main focus for action at that round table.

All rail unions, ScotRail and British Transport Police are of the view that the ban perversely undermines focus on compliance with what is acceptable or not acceptable behaviour and want the ban lifted. However, we also have the public messaging about alcohol to consider, which is why I am actively discussing the issue with my Cabinet colleagues.

Photo of Alison Johnstone Alison Johnstone Green

There is a brief supplementary from Graham Simpson.

Photo of Graham Simpson Graham Simpson Conservative

The cabinet secretary has been actively looking at the issue for long enough. I have provided her with a solution, which we discussed in private. I will keep it that way, but is it not time that she makes a decision and removes the ban?

Photo of Fiona Hyslop Fiona Hyslop Scottish National Party

I thank Graham Simpson for his engagement on the issue to date and his suggestions. I have to consider all the factors, and I have to do that collectively with my Cabinet colleagues. There are issues that we have to consider including the equally safe strategy, and there is a strategic review by the independent working group on antisocial behaviour, which will present its report to ministers, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Police Scotland this year.

There is a genuine dilemma. I think that everyone in the chamber will have a different view on the issue. I know that some of my predecessors have different views on it, and I have to bring everyone together. However, I am very conscious that, if we have something that is not working, we have to fix it. I intend to do that.