A rail worker’s union has warned Scottish trains may be forced to ban alcohol completely following the assault of a rail conductor by an Aberdeenshire passenger.
The British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the “unprovoked attack” carried out by a man – said to have been drunk – on board a ScotRail service between Stonehaven and Aberdeen on Thursday.
A BTP spokesman said the man, who boarded the C coach of the train at Stonehaven, punched the 39-year-old conductor in the stomach 15 minutes into the journey “for no apparent reason”.
The train had been travelling from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen and had left the capital at 12.30pm.
The incident took place at about 2.55pm.
Yesterday, Jake Molloy, regional organiser for the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) last night said one solution might be to make all trains completely alcohol-free.
In July 2012, First ScotRail banned alcohol-consumption between 9pm and 10am. Rail workers can also prevent people deemed too drunk from travelling.
Mr Molloy said: “The rail staff have already flagged up their concerns about anti-social behaviour on the railways.
“Over the last few months there has been an increase and they have raised it with us.
“In the past it has included offshore workers, but it’s not just offshore workers at this time of year. It is all of society, everybody from office workers to lawyers. Everyone gets drunk.
“The number of threats and assaults has increased dramatically because of alcohol-fuelled, anti-social behaviour.
“It has got to stop. It may end up a situation where all trains become dry if people can’t behave in a responsible manner.
“They are only trying to get their jobs done, only going through their day like any other work.”
The man suspected of the attack is described as around 5ft 7ins.
He is said to have been wearing a light-coloured baseball cap, a dark jumper, a green and light brown jacket, dark trousers and dark blue trainers.
A ScotRail spokeswoman said: “We do not tolerate abuse of any kind towards our staff, and will work with the police to bring the offender to justice.”
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage as they carry inquiries into the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The British Transport Police officer in charge of the inquiry, constable Craig Allan, said the attack was “unacceptable”.
