Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Government plans campaign against loud music on public transport
Andy Burnham announced a campaign urging passengers across the country to use headphones on public transport.
Posters will ask people to avoid playing music or videos aloud and making calls on speakerphone.
Local transport authorities could fine bus passengers up to £100 if they refuse to stop certain nuisance behaviour, including loud music, vaping or littering.
The powers come under the Bus Services Act, and drivers will not be expected to enforce the rules; transport safety officers or police would do so.
Train operators already have the power to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour.
The campaign responds to widespread frustration about noise, but Unite’s general secretary said the proposed penalties would not address the challenges and violence bus workers face.
The government will issue guidance to local authorities on using the powers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is launching a nationwide campaign urging train passengers to use headphones.
The government is issuing guidance on fines of up to £100 for bus passengers who refuse requests to stop nuisance behaviour.
The campaign targets loud music and videos, while the bus rules also cover vaping and littering.
Transport safety officers or police officers, not bus drivers, would enforce the bus rules.
Unite says the proposals will not adequately address the violence and challenges faced by transport workers.
- Who
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the government are launching the campaign. Local transport authorities may enforce the bus rules.
- What
- A nationwide campaign will urge passengers to use headphones, alongside guidance on fines of up to £100 for certain nuisance behaviour on buses.
- When
- The campaign and guidance are due to be launched on Monday, 19 October 2026.
- Where
- On trains and buses in the UK.
- Why
- The government says nuisance behaviour can spoil journeys. Unite says the proposals do not address the challenges and violence facing bus workers.
The government
Unite
Purpose
The government
The campaign encourages passengers to use headphones, and the guidance will help local authorities tackle nuisance behaviour on buses.
Unite
Unite says the proposals are inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers face.
Enforcement
The government
Local authorities may use fines of up to £100, enforced by transport safety officers or police rather than bus drivers.
Unite
Unite says the proposed penalties will not deal with the issues facing workers.
Local authorities gained powers to set and enforce their own rules on bus networks.
The government is due to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging train passengers to use headphones and publish guidance on bus fines.
- Bus fines
- Up to £100 for passengers who refuse to stop certain nuisance behaviour
- Enforcement
- Transport safety officers or police officers, not bus drivers
- Train fines
- Train operators already have power to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour
- Campaign slogan
- share the carriage, not the noise
- Launch
- Monday, 19 October 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
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.
The government’s proposals are well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers are facing on a daily basis.
If these new powers are properly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.
We want a £1,000 fine to hit repeat offenders where it hurts and make it crystal clear this behaviour won't be tolerated.