Lancaster MP welcomes plans to fine bus and train passengers for playing loud music

Monday, 19 October 2026 13:32

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Offenders on buses could face fines of £100 following new powers for local authorities to crack down on nuisance behaviour.

The Lancaster MP has backed a government plan to fine people for being noisy on public transport.

Cat Smith has backed a crackdown on passengers who blast music out of their phone on bus and rail journeys, as well as those who vape or leave litter.

Offenders on buses could face fines of £100 following new powers for local authorities to crack down on nuisance behaviour.

A new campaign encourages rail passengers to ‘Share the Carriage, Not the Noise’ and those who refuse to comply could face prosecution with fines.

"We’ve all been there, you get on the train or bus hoping for a quiet journey, only to be met with music, TikToks or Reels blasting out of someone’s phone!" Ms Smith posted on her Facebook page on Monday.

Cat Smith posted this image to her social media on Monday

"It’s frustrating, inconsiderate and unfair on everyone else trying to get where they need to go.

"Public transport should be for everyone. A little respect for the people around us, using headphones, keeping noise down and taking our rubbish with us, makes a real difference.

"That’s why the Government is taking action. A new campaign is reminding passengers to use headphones on trains, while local leaders will have new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses!"

A government spokesperson said: "‘Loudcasting’ on public transport has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, and today a new national campaign aims to encourage rail passengers to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all, as part of the government’s everyday fixes.

"The industry-led campaign will include audio reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to a maximum of £1,000.

"The powers for authorities on bus enforcement were made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities across England are able to set and enforce their own local rules.

"Bus drivers will not be responsible for enforcement. Instead, authorised officers, including transport safety officers and the police will be able to deal with incidents. Officers will follow a three-step approach: engaging with the person, explaining the rules and their impact on other passengers (and) taking enforcement action if they refuse to comply.,

"The rail campaign will end the patchwork of current campaigns across different rail operators, helping create a clear, consistent message across the network.

"Most operators will feature messaging across websites, social media, in carriages and at stations, and will include posters and announcements.

"The campaign demonstrates how, under public ownership, train operators can push for a more joined-up operation to focus in on passenger experience to effectively tackle antisocial behaviour.

"The legal power for all local transport authorities in England to crack down on nuisance behaviour on buses came into force on 5 August 2026.

"Today’s guidance will help them put these new local rules into practice, with each byelaw needing sign-off from the Secretary of State before it can be enforced."

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Lancaster MP welcomes plans to fine bus and train passengers for playing loud music

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