Passengers in England could face fines of up to £100 for playing music or videos out loud on buses, as the UK government introduces new measures to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport. Announced on October 19, the initiative targets “loudcasting”, playing audio through a phone or speaker without headphones, alongside other disruptive behaviour, including vaping and littering.
The Bus Services Act 2025 grants local transport authorities expanded powers to establish and enforce bus byelaws in England, effective August 5, 2026, though specific rules require approval from the Transport Secretary. Authorised safety officers and police, rather than bus drivers, can issue fixed penalty notices up to £100 for violations. Per the BBC, Prime Minister Andy Burnham also launched the rail campaign “share the carriage, not the noise” to encourage headphone use via social media, posters, and announcements. Railway staff may remove passengers who refuse to stop playing audio aloud, or offenders may face prosecution with fines up to £1,000 under existing laws.
Reactions to the proposals are mixed. Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Ben Plowden noted that antisocial behaviour deters passengers, especially those with accessibility needs, and welcomed the powers if properly enforced. Conversely, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham argued the measures fail to address wider worker abuse. Enforcement remains uncertain: although Transport for London already possesses powers against loud music, The Times reported on October 19 that only four fines have been issued since 2020, raising doubts about the impact of additional penalties without consistent enforcement.
For music fans, the message is straightforward: keep the speakers off and use headphones when listening to music on public transport. The government says the measures are intended to make journeys more comfortable for everyone, rather than introduce a blanket ban on listening to music while travelling.
