New Hampshire’s Republican governor is promising to act after learning Amtrak Downeaster riders will no longer be able to buy alcohol during their 40-minute trip across the state.
“Not happening. First drinks are on me,” Gov. Chris Sununu tweeted Wednesday morning, without elaborating on a specific policy proposal.
During a recent audit, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission discovered the Amtrak Downeaster was violating a state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol not purchased in the state, according to the Portland Press Herald.
The Downeaster, operated by the New England Passenger Rail Authority, serves beer, liquor and mixed drinks along its 145-mile run from Brunswick to Boston, and Massachusetts-based NexDine Hospitality, which manages the Downeaster’s food and drink service, buys its alcohol in Maine, the Associated Press reported.
The restriction is set to go into effect on March 20.
That could prove a minor inconvenience for riders during the 40 minutes it takes for the Downeaster to make three stops — in Dover, Durham and Exeter — on the 35 miles of track in New Hampshire.