Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Dashing Drinkers Still OK for the MTA
By
Toby von Meistersinger
Published Jun 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Toby von Meistersinger
Published Jun 28, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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. 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. 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.
Even it the MTA did turn off the taps, there are bars in both Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal and commuters would still have been able to purchase alcohol to take with them on the train from stores that are not owned by the MTA in both stations. In fact many, including off duty MTA employees, choose to buy their booze from these retailers, since there is a better and often times cheaper selection on offer. Still, thousands of commuters signed petitions against the ban.
An MTA board member from Long Island, Mitchell H. Pally, who was pushing for the ban told the Times, "It is as if we were giving people a license to drink and drive, and that is unacceptable." Pally, who is still pushing for the ban commented to the Associated Press that he felt that, "In my mind, this is not a 'no harm, no foul' issue."
Fun fact: In 1963 the Long Island Rail Road developed its own cocktail called a "Dashing Dan" - 1.6 ounces of vodka on the rocks, a three dashes of orange bitters and a sliver of orange.
Photo of Metro-North Bar Car(t) at Grand Central Terminal by Triborough on flickr
Tagged
alcohol
An MTA
associated press
bar
bars
fun
grand central
grand central terminal
long island
long island rail road
metro
metropolitan transportation authority
MTA
Penn
penn station
people
photos
safety
train
transportation
wine
Toby von Meistersinger
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .