Can you drink alcohol on trains and buses?

WHEN travelling on public transport there are rules and laws you must abide in order to be respectful to other travelling members of the public and members of staff.

But what are they? Here are some of the different public transport rules and laws you should be aware of across the UK.

Can I get fined for drinking on trains?

In England and Wales you can buy and drink alcohol on most train journeys.

Occasionally, when a train is heading to an event such as a football match, or sporting events and concerts a - these are known as 'dry' trains.

However, this won't come as a surprise for passengers as signs will be in place in advance, warning travellers that they won't be able to purchase or consume alcohol on these services.

London has its own set of rules with alcohol banned on all TFL services and stations - these rules bans passengers from drinking alcohol or carrying open containers of alcohol on public transport.

This includes buses, trams, tubes and Docklands Light Railway.

In Scotland, drinking on trains is prohibited between 9pm and 10am on all ScotRail journeys - this rule came into action in 2012 in an attempt to cut down on antisocial behaviour. 

However, The Caledonian Sleeper train, which travels to and from London, is exempt from this rule.

Scotland are also known to sometimes impose temporary bans on their trains, when necessary.

Drinking alcohol is banned on all train journeys in Northern Island on trains operated by Translink, Northern islands public transport operator.

The journey between Dublin and Belfast is the only exception with the consumption of alcohol permitted.

You can expect to be fined on all services in the UK where drinking is prohibited.

Can I get fined for drinking on buses?

Bus services across England and Wales have different rules on whether you're allowed to drink or not.

The majority of them ask you to refrain from consuming alcohol however it's worth checking with the service you are on and the company you're travelling with.

These rules apply across Scotland with travellers encouraged to contact their local council to see if alcohol is permitted.

Northern Ireland has much stricter rules on boozing on buses - anyone convicted of drinking alcohol on a bus could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Can I get fined for being drunk on public transport?

Drunk and disorderly behaviour extends across all public places in the UK - meaning that police can arrest you if they deem you to be creating a public disturbance whilst drunk on public transport.

Punishments for drunk and disorderly behaviour vary depending on the level of disturbance police believe you to be causing. 

The maximum fine for drunk and disorderly behaviour is £1,000.

You could also be hit with an ASBO (Anti-social behaviour order) or a Drinking Banning Order (DBO).

If the police view your behaviour as more serious, punishments of increasing severity can be inflicted - including arrest.