A nationwide campaign launching today (October 19) reminds passengers to use headphones on trains and buses, warning that those who play loud music without them could face fines of up to £1,000.
The campaign, with the message “share the journey, not the noise,” encourages local councils to use new powers to issue fines for nuisance behaviour on buses, including littering, vaping and listening to music without headphones.
New powers for councils
Local authorities gained the power to set and enforce their own rules on their bus networks earlier this year. Guidance published today by the Department for Transport sets out how the new legislation can be used. These rules will need to be signed off by the Transport Secretary and enforced by specialist transport safety officers rather than bus drivers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “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.”
Official support and criticism
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “It is so frustrating when the actions of an inconsiderate few spoil journeys for the rest of us, whether that is vaping, littering or blasting music out loud.”
Ben Plowden, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said antisocial behaviour could be “a real deterrent” to using public transport. He said: “If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
However, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the measures were “well meaning” but “wholly inadequate” to deal with the “avalanche of escalating abuse” faced by transport workers. She said: “The proposed penalties are not going to deal with the issues facing workers.”
Lib Dem transport spokesman Olly Glover said: “I’ve repeatedly pushed ministers to take the scourge of antisocial behaviour on our public transport seriously, but this latest response barely scratches the surface.” He added: “Unless the Government funds transport safety officers on the ground, these new rules won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on.”
