Metro-North to 'monitor' LIRR alcohol ban

Metro-North Railroad officials will "monitor" a pilot program on its sister line, the Long Island Rail Road, to ban alcohol on overnight weekend trains out of Penn Station.

The experimental program, scheduled to begin May 14, is designed to curb rowdy behavior by riders. Two train crew members have been assaulted in recent incidents, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said, including a conductor, who required stitches after being punched in the face.

"Metro-North is going to monitor the Long Island Rail Road's pilot program," said Sam Zambuto, a spokesman for the MTA, which operates both railroads.

The LIRR will ban alcohol on trains operating on Friday and Saturday nights between midnight and 5 a.m.

"The pilot program is not just to curb assaults," Zambuto said. "It's for any alcohol-fueled behavior that typically can result in fare disputes in these early morning trains."

Current policy allows Metro-North riders to bring alcoholic beverages on all trains, except during designated no-alcohol days, including New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day, Zambuto said.

Unlike the LIRR, Metro-North operates its trains only until 2 a.m. before resuming in the early morning.