The UK government has introduced new rules allowing local authorities to fine passengers who play music or videos loudly on buses or trains, with fixed penalties of up to £100 for littering, vaping, loud music, and threatening behaviour. The measures, part of the 'share the carriage, not the noise' campaign, also extend to rail, where passengers who refuse to comply with authorised officers can face fines of up to £1,000.
New powers for local authorities under Bus Services Act 2025
The powers for bus enforcement were granted by the Bus Services Act 2025, enabling all local transport authorities across England to set and enforce their own local rules. However, bus drivers will not be responsible for enforcing penalties; instead, authorised officers, including Transport Safety Officers and the Police, will handle incidents.
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. 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.”
Campaign rollout across rail operators
The 'share the carriage, not the noise' campaign will be rolled out across all publicly owned operators and DfT-contracted operators, including Great Western Railway, East Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, and CrossCountry. New announcements across publicly owned rail networks are due to be broadcast, with a potential message: "This is a friendly reminder that you are in a shared space, so please consider those around you and wear headphones if you want to listen to music or take calls. Let’s share the carriage, not the noise."
Rail passengers could face fines of up to £1,000 if they are asked to stop by authorised rail officers and refuse to comply. Passengers travelling by train will also be subject to being tasked to improve their behaviour, covering activities such as taking phone calls on loudspeakers, littering, vaping, or playing music out loud.
Impact on passengers and enforcement
The new rules aim to reduce antisocial behaviour on public transport, with local authorities now empowered to issue fines. The enforcement will be carried out by authorised officers, ensuring that bus drivers are not burdened with penalty duties. The campaign is part of a broader effort to improve the travel experience for all passengers, with the fixed penalty set at £100 for bus-related offences and up to £1,000 for rail non-compliance.
