Unruly passengers may be fined on trains

Those who drink, smoke or cause trouble on board UK trains could soon be fined on the spot.

Travel Insurance News - 22/12/2008

<< Thomas Cook says 15 tour companies to fail | Travel News | Air crew and passengers sickened by deicing solution >>

If the regulations are passed by the Parliament, British Transport Police will have new powers for dealing with problem passengers, according to the transport minister, Lord Adonis.

At the present time, police have two options available to them - they can warn or arrest the anti-social passengers. The new powers would add a third option, of issuing an on-the-spot £50 fine.

In the words of Lord Adonis: "Passengers have the right to travel in peace on the rail network and should not have to put up with people smoking, drinking alcohol excessively and causing a nuisance - these new penalties are designed to crack down specifically on this sort of conduct."

Andy Trotter, the deputy chief constable of the British Transport Police, noted: "The ability to issue penalty notices for these new offences will give officers another weapon in their armoury to continue driving down anti-social behaviour. We know that penalty notices prove a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and will save valuable police time, allowing us to have a greater visible uniformed presence on the rail system”.

"However, for the more serious crimes, our officers will continue to arrest and lock up offenders," he stressed.

Some have expressed concern that the third option might well lead to fewer arrests, as it is a less harsh option for officers than arresting offenders.

<< Thomas Cook says 15 tour companies to fail | Travel News | Air crew and passengers sickened by deicing solution >>