[CaptainK]

Regarding drinking on trains, the LIRR use to have a bar car on trains during the afternoon /evening runs. Then they moved the bars to the train platforms where you would buy your drink. They stopped the practice in 2018.

[FreeReign]

Typically the inside (window) seat gets filled first by either a man or a woman. For the inside window seat of a three seater is the most prime seat on commuter rail as you are almost guaranteed an empty middle seat between you and the passenger riding the outside seat and you can scrunch up to the window as opposed to having people walking down the aisle banging into your elbows and such. The downside is if you are getting off the train before the person in the outer seat, in which case you have to get their attention and get them to stand up in the aisle so you can move past them.

The outer seat on a three-seater is next to get filled.

I always fill first the outer seat on the three seater. If the three seater fills up you can always stretch your legs toward the aisle when you are in that outer seat. The same can't be said when you are in the inside seat

After I fill the outer seater, anybody who wants the inner or middle seat usually politely asks, and I get up, step out into the aisle and I let them in.

[SamAdams76]

The Metro North New Haven line (which I mainly use) had bar cars as well up until a few years ago.

Grand Central also used to have "bar carts" on the platforms and in the lower level dining area. These were actually run by Metro North employees. They were shut down in late 2016 due to a money skimming scandal.

However, there are plenty of places at Grand Central to get some brews or wine to take on board. Most of them overcharge. But at the Rite Aid pharmacy on the west side of Grand Central, they have a large selection of canned alcoholic beverages for reasonable prices. At rush hour, the lines are practically out the door with commuters buying beer.

[Captain Walker]

Your commute would be even better if the LIRR ever gets the double-decker cars that NJT has.

The problem with the middle seat is that many people would rather stand than sit in it, so TPTB realized that they simply had to get rid of it completely.