Passengers who play loud music on buses face fines of up to 100 pounds in drive against antisocial behaviour
The Government issued guidance on Monday to help councils in England use new bus byelaw powers, with fixed penalties of up to 100 pounds, and launched a national rail campaign against loudcasting under the slogan share the carriage, not the noise.
Ministers moved on Monday to curb antisocial behaviour on public transport, publishing guidance that helps local authorities in England fine bus passengers up to 100 pounds for nuisance behaviour and backing a national rail campaign against playing music and videos aloud in carriages.
The bus measures cover loud music, littering, vaping and threatening behaviour. Guidance issued on Monday explains how local transport authorities can use byelaw powers to set local rules on buses and at bus premises, and how those rules should be enforced, including fixed penalties of up to 100 pounds.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said: "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."
We've all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phoneAndy Burnham, Prime Minister
He added: "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."
The legal power for councils to act came into force on 5 August 2026 under the Bus Services Act 2025. Every local transport authority in England can now set and enforce its own local rules, although each byelaw still needs the approval of the Secretary of State before it can be enforced.
Bus drivers will not hand out the penalties. Enforcement sits with authorised officers, including transport safety officers and the police, who are expected to work in three stages: first speaking to the person, then setting out what the rules are and why they matter to fellow passengers, and only then moving to enforcement if the behaviour continues.
On the rail network, the industry led campaign uses the slogan share the carriage, not the noise. It replaces the separate campaigns run by individual operators with a single consistent message. Most operators will carry it on websites and social media, in carriages and at stations, through posters and announcements, alongside audio reminders of the rules already in place.
Passengers who refuse a request from authorised rail staff to stop playing sound aloud face being put off the train at the next station, or a fine of up to a maximum of 1,000 pounds. The Government said the campaign shows how publicly owned train operators can present a joined up approach focused on the passenger experience.
The 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."
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, welcomed the guidance, saying people travelling across his region deserve to feel comfortable, respected and safe, and that the region's Safer Travel Partnership and its transport safety officers are already making a difference on buses, trains and trams. Ben Plowden, the chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said antisocial behaviour can deter people from using public transport, especially people with different accessibility requirements, and that the powers should help if they are properly and visibly enforced.
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