While Long Island Rail Road officials are pushing to ban liquor on all local commuter rail lines, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member yesterday indicated his support for passengers’ right to drink and ride.

“Our passengers want it, and since we haven’t had any complaints, I’d rather leave the plan just as is,” the chairman of the MTA’s Metro-North Railroad Committee, James Sedore, said after a board meeting at MTA headquarters.

A liquor ban was first proposed at the end of last year by an MTA board member of Long Island, Mitchell Pally, who said drinking on trains poses several safety hazards. Currently, passengers may purchase alcohol at bar cars on Metro-North’s New Haven line, on Hamptons-bound reserve cars on the LIRR, and at stands on many platforms of both railroads.

In opposing a liquor ban, Mr. Sedore is breaking ranks with the MTA chairman, Peter Kalikow, who has assembled a task force to study the issue. Mr. Sedore said he would serve on that task force.

Though Mr. Kalikow delayed a vote on the ban last month, he said he would support at least limiting the sale and consumption of alcohol on trains. Alcohol sales on the LIRR bring in $350,000 annually to the MTA.

Because Metro-North Railroad is run jointly by the MTA and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, a ban on bar cars would have to be approved by both agencies. The idea thus far has met resistance from Connecticut transit officials. In fact, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is investing in new bar cars for its New Haven line, a rail administrator, Eugene Colonese, said.

A number of commuters who oppose a ban have formed an advocacy group, Commuters Allied for Responsible Enjoyment, to fight for their rights to drink alcohol during their commutes.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr. Pally expressed surprise about the amount of traction “Pally’s Prohibition” has gained.

“If nothing else, it got people talking about alcohol on the rails, which is a good start,” he said.