England Bus Passengers Playing Loud Music Face Up to £100 Fine Under New Crackdown

PothikTV News Desk: 19 October 2026, 7:18 am

Passengers who play loud music on buses in England could face fines of up to £100 under a new government campaign to crack down on antisocial behaviour across public transport networks. The initiative also aims to address littering, vaping, and threatening behaviour to improve travel experiences for all commuters. Under these measures, local authorities are being granted new powers to issue fixed penalties to offenders on bus services.

In addition to bus regulations, a national campaign titled “share the carriage, not the noise” is being launched across rail networks. The government intends for this initiative to establish a clear and consistent message across operator websites, social media, and train carriages, replacing the existing patchwork of rules used by different rail services. Prime Minister Andy Burnham noted that playing loud music or videos on personal devices spoils journeys for many passengers. Under current powers, rail passengers who refuse requests to stop playing loud audio can be removed from trains or fined up to £1,000.

The government clarified that bus drivers will not be responsible for enforcing the new rules. Instead, enforcement will fall to authorised officers, including Transport Safety Officers and the police. Local authorities will be able to impose these rules on local buses using guidance issued under powers introduced earlier this year, though individual schemes still require approval from the Transport Secretary.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that minor behavioural adjustments can significantly enhance the public transport experience. Multiple surveys by organisations such as Ofcom, YouGov, and Transport for London (TfL) have consistently shown that an overwhelming majority of passengers dislike loudcasting or playing audio on loudspeakers during journeys.

While campaign groups have welcomed the crackdown, several stakeholders have raised concerns about enforcement. Michael Solomon Williams from the Campaign for Better Transport highlighted that antisocial behaviour deters people from using public transit, particularly those with accessibility needs. However, he questioned how local police forces would be called upon to enforce rules on bus services, where British Transport Police are typically not deployed.

Union and political figures also called for broader action against transport-related crime. Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, called the measures a step in the right direction but urged the government to address violence, threats, and abuse directed at passengers and staff by increasing the budget for the British Transport Police. Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson Olly Glover MP both emphasised that rules require proper funding and enforcement on the ground to be effective, noting rising assaults against transport workers.

Research published in June by independent watchdog Transport Focus revealed that four in 10 passengers reported feeling vulnerable due to antisocial behaviour while travelling. Policy director Alex Campbell stated that measures curbing nuisance behaviour like loud music and vaping are vital for restoring passenger confidence and encouraging public transport usage.