A UK railway line plagued by drunk passengers over the festive period has adopted a new beer that it is hoped will help reduce incidents.
The Birmingham Brewing Company is supplying Avanti West Coast with a low-alcohol drink as part of a campaign to reduce accidents at stations and on trains.
Birmingham Live reports that, according to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), the number of daily incidents between November 24 and New Year’s Eve in 2023 was 45% higher than the rest of the period.
A total of 115 were recorded. But some may have been noted down as being caused by intoxication.
This means the real figure is probably higher. The new pale ale, Safety Thirst, is 0.5% alcohol.
It will be stocked aboard trains across the network, which covers tracks from Scotland to London.
Andy Milford, sales and brand manager at Birmingham Brewing Company, said: “We are delighted to be working with Avanti West Coast on such an important campaign.
“The festive period is a time everyone loves and cherishes being together, and we want to ensure that everyone gets home safely to be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
“This way, people can enjoy a fantastic pale ale on their journey and keep their celebrations on track.”
Dave Whitehouse, director of safety, security and environment at Avanti West Coast, added: “We want the railway to be the transport of choice when people are heading out to enjoy themselves during the festive season and while our customers are out on the network, we want them to be safe too.
“This time of year, our network is busier, and our staff are on hand to help everyone get to their destination safely.
“The Safety Thirst campaign is a great reminder to drink responsibly to create a more enjoyable travel experience for everyone taking a journey with us as well as our colleagues.”