The ban applies to services operated by TfL - the underground, buses, trams, the Overground, and the DLR.
But it doesn't apply to train services within London operated by train companies. You can get on the train at Finsbury Park, crack open a can, and enjoy it on the way into Moorgate.
Well I can get a train from Waterloo out to Chessington and can't drink upon that. :(
In short, if you can pay by Oyster - your can't drink and ride. Unless of course you're an MP and then apparently you just do it and play down any drama and no fines at all.
The law, announcements on those trains, as said, anything that TFL touch's and with that, if you can pay for or use that train with an Oyster card, you not going to be drinking without risk of a large fine.
So based on experience, other experiences and laws.
Also note many companies run dry-trains, so with that, can't drink or carry(questionable as long as sealed and not been open you can afaik).
What law? I've never heard of any connection between being able to pay with Oyster and not being able to drink - this sounds like an old wives' tale to me.
I know there are specific trains where drinking is banned. Elsewhere in this thread, there are some examples in Wales. I can't find anything about it being banned on trains to Chessington, or anywhere on South Western Railway, though. Not can their help person on Twitter:
> In short, if you can pay by Oyster - your can't drink and ride.
This is wrong. You can pay with an Oyster for Thameslink services out of and through London for example and drink on those. It literally only applies to Tfl operated services.
What with TFL gradually expanding, one does wonder what the future does hold.