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London Commuters Call For Ban On Smelly Foods On The Tube

London Commuters Call For Ban On Smelly Foods On The Tube

Can't blame them

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

London commuters have called for a ban on smelly foods on the Tube, the Evening Standard reports.

Proposals for such a ban on New York's subway sparked keen interest in the same being done in England's capital, hoping to make the Tube a more desirable way to travel.

NYC's transport boss Joe Lhota suggested banning hot foods on the underground in the Big Apple, according to the paper, which sparked a big debate among commuters.

Lhota's personal experience prompted the suggestion, after he was subjected to the smell of a fellow traveller's spilled Chinese takeaway. An incident earlier this week gave extra cause for the idea, after several takeaway wrappers reportedly caused a fire on the subway tracks, sending nine people to hospital.

"Just recently I was on a train and someone got on with a styrofoam thing of Chinese food," Lhota said in a press conference. "There was a lot of rice and other things. Inevitably the rice fell. It was all over the place. I want to avoid things like that."

Anyone who's been on a hot train when someone pulls out hot food will completely understand.

However, the Evening Standard reports that the notion has split people over in America, with many claiming to enjoy breakfast or dinner on their commutes.

Credit: PA

In the UK, however, the notion of a similar ban is gaining traction.

"What I would like London Underground to do as a first step is to do a comprehensive survey of passenger opinion to find out their views and whether they would support a ban," Conservative peer Lord Sherbourne told ES, who first suggested the idea in 2015. "I would like to see a ban on people eating hot food on the Tube.

"The reason is exactly the reason he (Joe Lhota) gave. Hot food can be very offensive in terms of very strong smells and also a health hazard if people start leaving it on the Tube."

Credit: PA

There has been a big outbreak in support in favour of the rule, with transport expert Geoff Marshall saying: "Hot food is a mega no-no. Don't ever get on the Tube with hot food. It's smelly and it makes a mess.

"I've had someone eat a burrito before opposite of me, chatting to a friend completely unaware of the mess he was making. And everytime a bit of his food dropped onto my foot I raised my leg and flicked it off. After about the tenth time, he finally noticed."

Despite this, a Transport for London spokesman has confirmed that no ban is being considered, although people are 'encouraged not to eat smelly foods'.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food