Good news for public transport users, as the UK government has announced that people who play music on their phones without headphones on buses and trains could be hit with a £100 fine.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, which includes the use of your phone’s speaker to play music or watch videos while using public transport.
A campaign, with the tagline ‘share the journey, not the noise’ will be launched today (Monday 19 October) aimed at reminding train passengers to use headphones.
The Prime Minister 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.
Andy Burnham has launched a new campaign to crackdown on anti-social behaviour (Sean GALLUP / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
He added: “It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
The new campaign will be launched alongside guidance allowing local transport authorities to issue fines of up to £100 for non-compliance.
Local authorities were granted the power to set and enforce their own rules on their bus networks earlier this year, and the guidance published on Monday by the Department for Transport will help set out how the new legislation can be used.
The rules will need to be signed off by the Transport Secretary, and will be enforced by specialist transport safety officers rather than bus drivers.
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.
“Even small changes in behaviour can make a massive difference to people’s experience on public transport.”
The move is sure to be welcomed by those who use public transport, with the Guardian reporting around 60 percent of voters back action taken against those who play loud music or videos on their phones.
If you want to listen to music on public transport pop on some headphones or run the risk of being hit with a fine (Getty stock image)
Ben Plowden, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said antisocial behaviour could be ‘a real deterrent’ to using public transport.
He said: “If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
However, the Conservative Party has said the new rules don’t go far enough to protect bus and train staff.
Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said: “Finally, Labour are finally catching up with the Conservatives on issues passengers really care about.
“After we led the charge against antisocial behaviour on public transport last summer, ministers have worked out that nobody wants to endure pounding techno or blaring hip hop on a packed train or bus.
“But passengers and railway staff face far more serious problems. Assaults against rail staff have risen by 68 percent, while prosecutions have slumped under Labour. It’s time for Andy Burnham to get serious about enforcement, tackling violence and protecting those who work on our railways.”
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