A fierce debate over mobile phone use on Britain's public transport has erupted in the pages of Metro, with readers calling for everything from headphone mandates to an outright ban on devices.
The Case for a Ban: Nuisance and Obscenity
The discussion was ignited by a reader, Mrs P Isaac, who argued phones should be simply banned from public transport. She described a recent bus journey where a passenger's loud phone call escalated into a torrent of offensive and obscene language. "It not only creates a bad atmosphere but disturbs the peace of the other passengers," she wrote via email, calling for contingency measures to escort badly behaved individuals off services.
Another reader, Martin Lawrence from Croydon, proposed a more musical form of protest. He detailed his tactic of fighting fire with fire by playing classic rock anthems like Radar Love or I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing in response to those blaring music or calls on speakerphone. "It really is a case of if you can’t beat them, join them," he stated.
An Accessibility Need, Not Just an Annoyance
For some, the issue transcends mere irritation and enters the realm of essential accessibility. Dr Murray Tremellen from York, who is autistic, explained that hearing others' devices out loud significantly increases sensory load in an already overwhelming environment.
"For autistic people, hearing somebody else’s music or videos playing out loud is more than just annoying," he wrote. He linked the practice directly to sensory overload, fatigue, and burnout, stating that travelling has become such an ordeal he now routinely wears ear defenders. Dr Tremellen framed this as a critical access need, equating its importance to providing a ramp for a wheelchair user.
The Bus Driver's Verdict: The 'Implied Contract' of Travel
Weighing in with professional authority, a bus driver of almost 30 years, Mr Norris from Gateshead, labelled the habit of using loudspeakers in public as the "most ignorant" and annoying modern fad. He revealed a key piece of information often unknown to passengers: upon purchasing a ticket, they enter an implied contract with the transport provider, which includes not causing a nuisance.
Mr Norris shared his method of politely asking passengers to turn devices down, a request he says is usually met with compliance. However, he made clear the ultimate sanction: "If that were ever the case, they would simply not be allowed to travel."
The debate, published on January 8, 2026, also touched on wider issues of sexualisation in media, but the core transport etiquette topic has clearly struck a chord with commuters across the UK.
