Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander have launched a crackdown on antisocial behaviour on public transport, with fines of up to £100 on buses and a national campaign to stop 'loudcasting' on trains.
Guidance issued to local authorities today will help them use new powers to tackle loud music, littering, vaping and threatening behaviour on buses, including fixed penalties of up to £100 for those who cause trouble.
On the railways, a new industry-led campaign will encourage passengers to 'share the carriage, not the noise', with audio reminders of the rules across the network. Passengers who refuse to stop when asked by authorised rail staff can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines of up to £1,000.
Andy Burnham: 'It gets on your nerves'
"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 Prime Minister said.
"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."
Heidi Alexander: 'An inconsiderate few'
"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," Heidi Alexander said. "Even small changes in behaviour can make a massive difference to people's experience on public transport."
The Transport Secretary said the government was empowering local leaders to shape bus services around the needs of their communities and using publicly owned train operators to encourage passengers to be considerate of others.
How the new rules will work
The bus powers were made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025 and came into force on 5 August, allowing every local transport authority in England to set and enforce its own rules. Each byelaw will need sign-off from the Transport Secretary before it can be enforced.
Bus drivers will not be responsible for enforcement. Authorised officers, including transport safety officers and the police, will engage with the person, explain the rules and their impact on other passengers, and take enforcement action if they refuse to comply.
The rail campaign replaces a patchwork of campaigns run by different operators with one consistent message across websites, social media, carriages and stations.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said people travelling across the region deserved to feel comfortable, respected and safe. "With this clear guidance and backing from government we can go further with our commitment to making every journey quieter, cleaner and safer for all," he said.
