UK to fine bus passengers £100 for loud music and vaping

Train operators already hold power to levy £1,000 fines

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will unveil a nationwide campaign Monday against passengers who play loud music or videos on public transport, alongside new guidance allowing local transport authorities to fine bus passengers up to £100 for nuisance behaviour. The Guardian described the move as extending Burnham’s promise to give voters “breathing space” in the confines of a train carriage, and as making him the latest in a series of senior British politicians to promise action against people playing media out loud in public.

Under the plan, ministers will issue guidance to local transport authorities advising them on how to use new powers granted under the Bus Services Act, which allows the authorities to set and enforce their own rules on board. The guidance will say authorities should issue fines of up to £100 if bus passengers refuse to comply with a request to stop certain nuisance behaviour.

Burnham said in a statement: “We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone. It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey. So, we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses. It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”

Officials said drivers would not be expected to enforce the new rules; the job would fall to transport safety officers or police officers. Train operating companies already hold the power to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour, the government said.

Alongside the new enforcement powers, the government is launching a poster campaign to discourage passengers from playing videos or music out loud on public transport. Under the slogan “share the carriage, not the noise,” passengers will be encouraged to use headphones, avoid making calls on speakerphone and watch videos quietly.

Burnham is the latest in a series of British politicians to promise action on the issue. London Mayor Sadiq Khan unveiled a campaign in the summer urging passengers to “travel kind,” including by wearing headphones. The Liberal Democrats have called for bus travellers to face £1,000 fines as well as those on trains.

The political attention reflects polling showing noise on public transport is a widespread annoyance for British voters. A recent YouGov poll found voters would back £1,000 fines for people playing music out loud on buses and trains. A separate YouGov survey listed people talking on speakerphones as one of voters’ top three irritants.

Unions, however, said the new enforcement regime would do little to protect transport workers. The general secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, said: “The government’s proposals are well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers are facing on a daily basis. The proposed penalties are not going to deal with the issues facing workers.”

A photograph distributed with the announcement was credited to Jeff J Mitchell of AFP via Getty Images.