It happens every year, people go into the city to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade, go out to dinner with their friends, drink far too much, and then think they can take the train home (because heaven knows you certainly should not be driving). But heavily intoxicated passengers aren't always the most cooperative passengers, and St. Patrick's day holds the title for the the most one-day requests for police assistance (second only to New Year's). In fact, last year there were over 22 separate incidents on the LIRR that required police assistance. Usually police assistance and train delays go hand-in-hand, but usually the LIRR seems to have their act together and things go somewhat well on this holiday. Usually someone starts causing trouble, [if nescescary] the police are called, they meet them at the next station, and the unruly passenger is plucked off the train to sober up to a point where they can try riding a train again.
Needless to say, conductors and the other train crew members hate St. Patrick's day. There's nothing worse than a train with 10-20 drunks coming home on a Saturday night, but multiply that by 12 and you've got one giant headache on your hands. Often times belligerent drunks cause problems over not having tickets (buy round trip tickets before you go!), refusing to pay fares, getting into skirmishes with other passengers, losing their lunch on the floor of the already less-than-clean railcars*, further drinking on the train, and just general disobedience.
Be advised that the conductors and train crew already have way less patience for unruly passengers on St. Patrick's Day then they do on other days, so be aware if you're looking to have a good time while at the parade.
Just a reminder, that alcohol in open or closed containers is NOT allowed at ANY time on LIRR trains, station platforms, or waiting areas. You'll get in trouble if you try (and don't try the whole "brown bag" trick, they're aware of that (and the police are free to search your belongings for "contraband" if they see fit)).
The one saving grace this year is that St. Patrick's day and the parade falls on a weekend, so at least we're not having to worry about the regular commuters and packed rush hour trains getting mixed in with all the revelers.
So in summation, if you're going to ride the train tomorrow, make sure your in a decent enough state to actually make it home without your rear end being tossed off a train someplace far from your station. Buy round-trip tickets in advance (off-peak fares all day) and try and behave yourselves!
PS: the LIRR is also running additional trains this weekend for various parades. Check this post for more information.
* FUN FACT: NJ Transit operates a fleet of single-level coaches called "Comets," and their recurring odor of vomit inside their cars has gotten them the nickname by some as "Vomits" or "Vomit Comets." Luckily, no LIRR cars are that bad on a consistent basis, so we've no need to access similar nicknames (thank goodness!)
And don't forget over on Metro-North the last Harlem Line train of the night that seems to have adopted the Vomit Comet name ;)
ReplyDeleteI know a conductor who consistently works that train. Betcha he's gonna have a fun night tonight!
Yeah, that must be a nightmare. Especially because the Harlem Line has a "last train" for the night that all the drunks need to get on to get home that night. At least with the LIRR there are trains running all night for people to spread themselves out over!
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