Johnson and unions clash over drink ban

London: The new Mayor has clashed with unions for the first time over his plans to ban alcohol on public transport.

In his first big policy announcement on Wednesday, Boris Johnson promised that the "cultural shift" on drinking would improve safety and security.

From 1 June passengers can be ordered off Tubes, trains, the DLR and buses if they are caught with a can or bottle. He said: "I firmly believe that if we drive out so-called minor crime then we will be able to get a firm grip on more serious crime."

Johnson said: "Too many people have the unpleasant experience of sitting opposite someone swigging a can of lager."

But because a law has not yet been passed, British Transport Police will have no powers to fine passengers for about a year.

An extra 440 police community support officers, another election pledge, will help enforce the ban.

Next to impossible

But the RMT is concerned the measures would put staff at risk. Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "Perhaps the Mayor will come out with his underpants over his trousers like Superman one Saturday to show us how it should be done, and maybe tell a crowd of Liverpool supporters that they can't drink on the train."

Johnson also hopes the new conditions will be "self-policing", similar to the smoking ban. Transport for London said the ban could not be applied to trains on the national network, dealing another blow to the new Mayor's plan. A spokesman for Department for Transport added: "Train companies already have powers to deal with any antisocial drinking on trains."