Why does Metro tell passengers they can't drink coffee in Virginia when they legally can?

Question

On reading an article, "Is Metro Authorised to Tell Passengers

Whether They Can Drink Coffee in Virginia?" it seems that under "The Dillon Rule" there are no rules that say whether passengers are allowed to eat and drink on the subway in Virginia. Apparently Metro is not authorized to make such rules in Virginia, and any local ordinances on the subject are, as the article says, "invalid on their face."

That being the case, which apparently it is, why doesn't Metro state in their rather frequent announcements that the rule applies only to DC, where it is strictly enforced, or at least was at one time. Why not tell passengers that are free to do as they please in Virginia?

Answer 1

The article came up with a quick search of "Dillon Rule Metro".  (The other search engine also came up with this question!)  The localities have "matching" ordinances prohibiting eating and drinking, but have no more authority to make these rules than I do.

I think it's just Metro's cavalier attitude toward passengers.  I live in Virginia and it is true.  I looked it up because I frequently saw people drinking coffee in Maryland but not Virginia, but perhaps that was because I used to travel in that direction before moving here.  I do see people drinking coffee here.

Whatever the reason, Metro's attitude is that it is acceptable for them to deceive passengers because they *wish* (or rather some people at Metro wish) there were such rules.  They should be honest and up-front with their patrons.

Answer 2

The Metro is a fairly unique agency.  It is federally chartered, but funded jointly by 3 local jurisdictions.  So I'm not sure what the legal status is, but I wouldn't assume that any "local ordinance" prohibition would apply to them, since the Metro isn't run by a local Virginia government but rather by a quasi-governmental, tri-jurisdictional, federally chartered agency.

I haven't seen the article you are referring to, but it sounds like a piece of propaganda judging from the title.

Answer 3

Probably because they'd prefer you weren't able to do it at all. Less chance of messing up their trains. So, it's not really in their interest to tell people they can do it in Virginia.