Passengers who blast music on buses in England could now face a fine of up to £100, as part of a new government push to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport. The move follows a broader campaign that also aims to curb littering, vaping and threatening conduct on buses and trains.
Local authorities will be granted new powers to enforce the rules, but the Transport Secretary must still sign off any new regulations. The government says bus drivers will not be tasked with enforcement; instead, authorised officers such as Transport Safety Officers and the Police will handle incidents.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed the initiative, noting that loud music “gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey.” Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added that small changes in behaviour can make a massive difference to passengers’ experience. The campaign will run across operator websites, social media and in carriages under the slogan “share the carriage, not the noise.”
Union representatives have mixed reactions. Maryam Eslamdoust of the TSSA said tackling antisocial behaviour was a step in the right direction, but urged the government to address violence and abuse faced by passengers and staff. Campaign for Better Transport’s Michael Solomon Williams warned that enforcement could be problematic, questioning how local police would intervene on bus services.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden MP criticised the government for not addressing the rise in assaults on rail staff, while Liberal Democrat spokesperson Olly Glover MP called for funding of transport safety officers to make the rules effective. Transport Focus noted that personal safety is now seen as fundamental to passengers’ confidence, with four in ten feeling vulnerable due to antisocial behaviour.
The new powers are part of a broader effort to create a consistent, clear message across the network and improve journeys for all users. The government will monitor enforcement and adjust measures as needed.
