Is it OK to snack on a train?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the Spectator

Britain is a nation of snackers. According to the 2019 State of Snacking report, 69% of us depend on snacks to get through the day, with the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)’s average daily snack intake exceeding average meals consumed. We are time poor and snack rich; stealing moments on the fly to glut, gulp, and groan.

Last October, Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies called for a ban on eating on public transport. It was a two-prong rationale: cut back on rubbish left on trains, and help curb the nation’s obesity problem.

Though it sparked an uproar at the time, a snack-free commute could soon be the reality. After all, with face masks mandatory on public transport since June 15th, feeding on a bacon sarnie or knocking back a can of M&S gin-and-tonic will be a difficult thing to do. Is this the death of snacking “on-the-go”?

From GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - found via Google / not sure if it currently linked to
https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/journey-information/on-board/food-and-drink

Food and drink

Long journey ahead? Be happy, not hungry.

From classic snacks and sweet treats, to tasty sandwiches and wraps. Plus, a great range of soft drinks, beers, and wines. Served at your seat, with our popular trolley service, we’ve got it covered

and current ( https://www.gwr.com/safety )

food and drink – we don’t have any catering on our trains, so please bring your own refreshments if you need them on your journey

Buses vary - Stagecoach
( https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact/national/can-i-take-food-or-drink-on-the-bus# )

Can I take food or drink on the bus?
Usually, yes but hot drinks should be in a suitable travel container such as a flask or takeaway coffee cup with a lid.

We also ask that you don't drink alcohol on our buses. Please be considerate and avoid eating and drinking items (such as strong smelling foods) which other customers may find unpleasant.

- First Bus
( https://www.firstgroup.com/help-and-support/coronavirus-information )

No eating or drinking while on board

- National Express
( https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/conditions-of-carriage )

(a) Food and drink: You are welcome to bring onto the Coach hot drinks provided they are fitted with a safety lid to avoid spillage and you take care with them, cold non-alcoholic drinks and cold food. You are not permitted to bring onto the Coach, or consume on the Coach, any hot or strong smelling food.

[froome]

Well, it's a good point, that if you have to wear a face mask, it will be nigh impossible to eat or drink (and yes I know that in Japan there are masks made to allow you to do just that, but I can't see that really catching on here).

Is any food or drink being sold on trains at the moment, or any station cafes open? It does seem likely that this could spell the death knell for many of those businesses.

[IndustryInsider]

There was a trial on board a couple of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains last week, and most outlets on stations are closed, but a few are slowly starting to reopen.

The face mask law has provision to allow people to remove them when reasonable to consume food and drink, such as when on long journeys.

[Phantom]

Remember that there are exemptions to wearing face coverings on public transport, there are also numerous medical reasons why someone would need to ability to eat and drink at any time

[bobm]

There is the opposite extreme - BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) using this to illustrate an article on the 50% discount for those eating out n August.

[froome]

There is the opposite extreme - BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) using this to illustrate an article on the 50% discount for those eating out n August.

It's the polite way of throwing up after you've eaten your discounted meal.

[rogerpatenall]

So what's new? Horses have eaten in this manner whilst on the move for years. . .