LONDON – Transport for London (TfL) is launching a new campaign to encourage passengers to use headphones when listening to music or making calls on public transport.
Quieting the Commute: TfL Asks Passengers to “Be Considerate”
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TfL is reminding commuters to use headphones to improve the travel experience for everyone.
- 70% of surveyed passengers find loud music and phone calls on public transport a nuisance.
- New posters will appear on the Elizabeth line and London buses.
- Existing bylaws ban loud music playback without permission.
- Fines of up to £1,000 can be issued for antisocial behavior on public transport.
- Political parties show rare cross-aisle support for addressing the issue.
Why are some passengers playing music out loud on public transport? TfL is appealing to the better nature of “headphone dodgers” by asking them to “be considerate.”
The new posters, rolling out on the Elizabeth line this week and arriving on London buses in the autumn, serve as a gentle reminder to plug in headphones. This initiative comes as mobile coverage, including 4G and 5G, becomes more widespread across the TfL network, leading to increased opportunities for streaming and calls on the go.
“Most people use headphones, but even a small number not doing so can create an unpleasant or stressful environment,” said Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director. “That’s why we’re reminding people to put their headphones on if they don’t already, to give others the stress-free journey they’d expect for themselves.”
A survey of 1,000 people revealed that a significant 70% consider loud music and phone conversations without headphones to be a nuisance.
Seb Dance, the deputy mayor for transport, echoed these sentiments. “The small majority who play music or videos out loud can be a real nuisance to other passengers,” he stated, adding that the posters aim to encourage Londoners “to always be considerate of other passengers.”
Existing Regulations and Enforcement
While the campaign focuses on courtesy, regulations are already in place to curb this behavior. TfL bylaws prohibit singing or playing music out loud on the network without written permission, such as a busker’s license. This behavior can lead to prosecution if it causes “the annoyance of any person.”
The Department for Transport confirmed that “strict rules” exist to combat antisocial behavior on public transport, with potential fines reaching up to £1,000.
Cross-Party Support for Quieter Commutes
The issue of loud music on public transport has garnered rare bipartisan support. Liberal Democrats have labeled offenders “headphone dodgers” and proposed fines along with a national publicity campaign. Conservative MPs, including former shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon, have also signaled their backing, emphasizing that “everyone deserves to travel in peace” and that loud music erodes public civility.
