Andy Burnham to hit bus and train passengers with £1,000 fines for not using headphones

Andy Burnham to hit bus and train passengers with £1,000 fines for not using headphones Bus and train passengers are set to face fines for using their phones on loudspeaker. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Alex Evans , Deputy Audience Editor 00:01, Mon, Oct 19, 2026 Bus and train passengers face fines of up to £1,000 (Image: Getty) People who play music out loud on public transport could face fines of up to £1,000 in a crackdown on antisocial behaviour announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham . Local authorities are being encouraged to use new powers to dish out fines for disruptive behaviour, including littering, vaping and listening to music without headphones. On Monday, a campaign will be launched to remind people to use headphones on trains, telling passengers to “share the journey, not the noise” or face fines of up to £1,000. 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. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us." Local authorities gained the power to set and enforce their own rules on their bus networks earlier this year, and guidance published on Monday by the Department for Transport sets out how the new legislation can be used. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Those rules will need to be signed off by the Transport Secretary, and will be enforced by specialist transport safety officers rather than bus drivers. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT 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.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Martin Lewis plea over whether to leave heating on all day after 'debate settled Strictly viewers spot huge blunder BBC missed as Sarah sent home on Sunday Antisocial behaviour on public transport has become an increasingly prominent issue, with the Liberal Democrats calling for action against “headphone dodgers” last year. 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.” But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that while the measures were “well-meaning”, they were “wholly inadequate” to deal with the “avalanche of escalating abuse” faced by transport workers. She said: “The proposed penalties are not going to deal with the issues facing workers. Our members are demanding and deserve protections at work that these proposals do not address.” Lib Dem transport spokesman Olly Glover said: “I’ve repeatedly pushed ministers to take the scourge of antisocial behaviour on our public transport seriously, but this latest response barely scratches the surface. “Commuters deserve to travel in peace and quiet. We want a £1,000 fine to hit repeat offenders where it hurts and make it crystal clear this behaviour won’t be tolerated. “Tough talk means nothing without enforcement. Unless the Government funds transport safety officers on the ground, these new rules won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on.” 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%, 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.” Andy Burnham Bus pass Trains Train fares Labour Party Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments