Passengers playing loud music, vaping, or littering on English buses could face £100 fines under new measures aimed at curbing antisocial behavior, with a national campaign urging travelers to share the carriage, not the noise.
The UK government has introduced new powers for local authorities to issue fines of up to £100 for loud music, vaping, and littering on buses, part of a broader effort to improve public transport experiences. The measures, announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, include a national campaign to remind passengers to use headphones and respect shared spaces. The new powers were introduced earlier this year and require approval from the Transport Secretary before being implemented by local authorities.
Government Campaign to Standardize Messaging on Rail Networks
The share the carriage, not the noise
campaign, launched by the government, will appear on operator websites, social media, and in carriages to standardize messaging across rail networks. Under the new rules, local authorities gain powers to set and enforce their own bus regulations, though these must be approved by the Transport Secretary. Enforcement will fall to specialist transport safety officers rather than bus drivers. A 2026 article by Jamie Boys, published on 18 October 2026, noted that bus drivers will not be expected to issue fines, with responsibility instead falling to police and traffic officers.
Andy Burnham emphasized the impact of antisocial behavior, stating, We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone. It can quickly spoil the journey.
The government argues that small behavioral changes, like using headphones, can make a massive difference to people’s experience on public transport.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander echoed this sentiment, saying, 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.
Reactions and Concerns
While campaigners welcomed the measures, concerns about enforcement persist. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Olly Glover echoed this, stating, Tough talk means nothing without enforcement.
The government’s guidance also allows for fines of up to £1,000 for those who refuse to comply with requests to stop disruptive behavior.
Key Figures and Next Steps
The measures, part of a wider crackdown on antisocial behavior, follow surveys showing public frustration with loud music and vaping on public transport. Transport Focus, an independent watchdog, found that a significant portion of passengers feel vulnerable due to such behavior, with improvements in nuisance reduction seen as critical to boosting public confidence. A 2026 article by Jamie Boys cited a study published in June that highlighted personal safety and security as fundamental to passengers’ confidence in the railway.
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