Burnham launches crackdown on loud music on public transport

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 00:14 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is launching a campaign against passengers playing music without headphones on public transport, with potential fines up to £100 on buses.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is launching a nationwide campaign on Monday against antisocial behaviour on public transport. The initiative includes new powers for local authorities to fine passengers up to £100 for playing music without headphones, vaping and littering on buses. A campaign slogan urges passengers to 'share the journey, not the noise'.

Local authorities gained the power to set and enforce their own rules on their bus networks earlier this year. The Department for Transport is publishing guidance on Monday setting out how the new legislation can be used. Any rules drawn up under the powers must be signed off by the Transport Secretary.

Enforcement will be handled by specialist transport safety officers rather than bus drivers. Train operating companies already have existing powers to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour on rail services.

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.'

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.'

The Mirror reports that rail travellers who refuse to stop playing music or videos when asked by authorised staff face being removed from the train at the next station in addition to potential fines. The Evening Standard notes that it remains unclear how the new powers would apply to London's Transport for London (TfL) services, which carry millions of passengers across the capital daily.

According to The Guardian, approximately 60% of voters back action against people who play videos or music out loud in public spaces.

How it is being reported

• Nuisance passengers who blast out music on trains face fines of up to £1,000Rail travellers who refuse to stop playing music or videos from their phone when asked by authorised staff face being booted off the train at the next station or being slapped with a fine up to £1,000The Mirror · 19 Oct, 00:05
• London bus passengers could face £100 fines for blasting music out loud in antisocial behaviour crackdownPeople who play music out loud on buses could face £100 fines in a crackdown on antisocial behaviourEvening Standard · 19 Oct, 00:01
• Andy Burnham launches campaign against ‘headphone dodgers’ on public transportPassengers urged to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ as guidance sets out £100 penalties for nuisance behaviour Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on “headphone dodgers” who play loud music on public transport, as he extends his promise to give voters “breathing space” in the confines of a train carriage. The prime minister will unveil a campaign against nuisance behaviour on public transport on Monday, alongside guidance allowing local transport authorities to levy fines of up to £100 for non-compliance. Continue reading...The Guardian · 19 Oct, 00:01
• Andy Burnham to hit bus and train passengers with £1,000 fines for not using headphonesBus and train passengers are set to face fines for using their phones on loudspeaker.Daily Express · 19 Oct, 00:01
• Burnham launches war against 'headphone dodgers' as people who play music on buses face £100 fineOther nuisance behaviours include littering, vaping and listening to music without headphonesThe Independent · 18 Oct, 23:59

In this story: Andy Burnham · Heidi Alexander · Department for Transport · Transport for London

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