Sober On The Silver Streak

Patrons taking the train to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., will need to keep their drinking to a minimum, or face arrest, a $1,000 fine and ejection.

The New Jersey Transit is banning all beverages on North Jersey Coast Line trains when concerts are at the arena. The trains stop in Matawan, where promoter and facility manager Live Nation runs shuttle buses.

The ban mirrors a policy put in place last year when problems cropped up, NJ Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo told the Asbury Park Press.

“Unfortunately, we banned all beverages for specific concerts we know will be problematic and for the time that people are traveling to and from them,” Trucillo said. “One thing we found out is that people are very innovative. They will put alcoholic beverages in Gatorade bottles and in Poland Spring water bottles.

“We got a handle on it toward the end of last season, working with local police, emergency medical services, Live Nation and state police.”

Trucillo said it was a dangerous situation with a number of people treated for alcohol poisoning, adding that police will use discretion when it comes to commuters who bring coffee and water on board.