MTA says Drinking On Commuter Trains Is Still OK!

Gothamist has alerted us to an important article in today's New York Times:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board decided yesterday not to act on a ban of alcoholic beverages on Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.

If you weren't aware, "Both railroads sell beer, wine, and liquor (along with soft drinks, water and snacks) from carts at Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station, as well as from bar cars on trains."

So what was behind the decision? $$$

Sales yielded a $1 million profit for the MTA, so the decision was probably more based on pure hard economics than anything else, although an MTA task force looking into the matter determined the sales did not pose a risk to the safety of commuters.

So, next time you're on the LIRR or Metro-North, buy a drink and know that you're helping finance the construction of the Second Avenue Subway.