Burnham announces crackdown

Prime minister Andy Burnham will unveil a campaign against nuisance behaviour on public transport on Monday, targeting people who play loud music or videos.

New fines for buses

Local transport authorities will be given powers to levy fines of up to one hundred pounds for passengers who refuse to stop playing loud music, vaping or littering on buses.

Trains already have powers

Train operating companies already have the power to issue fines of up to one thousand pounds for similar behaviour. Transport safety officers or police will enforce the new bus rules, not drivers.

Share the carriage campaign

The government is launching a poster campaign under the slogan share the carriage, not the noise, urging passengers to use headphones, avoid speakerphone calls and watch videos quietly.

“share the carriage, not the noise”

Public backs the crackdown

About sixty percent of voters back action against people playing videos or music out loud in public spaces. A YouGov poll found voters would support one thousand pound fines on buses and trains.

Unions say measures inadequate

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said the proposals are well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers face on a daily basis.

“well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers are facing on a daily basis”