Andy Burnham’s antisocial behaviour campaign is expected to receive massive support from the general public, with Brits left infuriated by noisy passengers on trains
The Government is cracking down on antisocial behaviour(Image: PA)
Noisy train passengers face up to £1,000 in fines if they play loud music under new plans to crack down on antisocial behaviour – a move likely to find massive support among fed up commuters.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham launched the new campaign against “headphone dodgers” this morning, appealing to people across the country who have had their journeys spoiled by loud music and videos. He 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.”
The policy was unveiled as part of his campaign against nuisance behaviour, and would see local transport authorities empowered to levy £100 fines for non-compliance, with train operators able to fine 10 times that.
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As he unveils the campaign today, the Prime Minister will announce that ministers will issue guidance to local transport chiefs advising them on how the new powers – granted under the Bus Services Act – should be applied. That guidance will say authorities should issue £100 fines if passengers refuse to comply with a request to stop nuisance behaviour.
Those requests would be issued by transport safety or police officers, rather than drivers, and companies would have the power to issue up to £1,000 fines for similar behaviour.
The move is expected to find massive support among the public, with a YouGov poll from 2025 finding that more than 60 percent back fines for loud passengers. The poll of 6,815 people found that 29 percent “strongly support” fines of up to £1,000, and 33 percent “somewhat support” the move.
Overall, 62 percent, or more than 4,000 of the poll’s respondents, gave their support to the policy at the time, while just 37 percent – just 2,521 people – said they opposed.
News of the impending announcement has seen people flock to the internet to offer their support, with one social media user saying: “Definitely, wear your ear pods/head phones please. Often children watching films/adults talking on loudspeaker and music playing to loud or sometimes just enough to just hear bits which is very annoying.
“I do ask to turn down. Some do, a lot dont.” Another user added: “GOOD! And while you’re at it, double the fine for people taking speakerphone calls as well.” And a third said: “They are a pain. People always watching stupid YouTube videos with the fake canned laughter over the top playing it loud on a train.”
“So annoying, if you say anything they usually threaten you and turn it up.” Others called for the Government to go a step further, with another user saying: “Fine people who put their feet on train seats too.”
Expanding on the plans, the Prime Minister said the nationwide campaign would also allow local leaders to directly tackle vaping and littering. He said: “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. It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
