Passengers Face £100 Fines for Loud Music on Buses

Source reports published 19 Oct 2026, 10:22 am – 12:36 pm AEST

The government is introducing fines of up to £100 for passengers playing loud music on buses and trains. This follows a national campaign urging passengers to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ and aims to improve journeys for all.

What happened

• The government is implementing new measures to address antisocial behaviour on public transport, specifically targeting passengers playing loud music without headphones.
• Local authorities, empowered by new legislation introduced earlier this year, will be able to issue fixed penalties of up to £100 to offenders.
• Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that even small changes in behaviour can significantly improve the experience for passengers.
• Authorized officers, including Transport Safety Officers and Police, will be responsible for enforcing these rules, rather than bus drivers.
• A national campaign, ‘share the carriage, not the noise,’ is being launched across operator websites, social media, and in carriages to promote responsible behaviour.
• Campaign for Better Transport spokesperson, Michael Solomon Williams, believes that tackling antisocial behaviour could be a deterrent for using public transport, particularly for those with accessibility needs.
• However, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham criticized the measures as inadequate to address escalating abuse faced by transport workers, emphasizing the need for increased protections and enforcement.
• Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman Olly Glover called for a £1,000 fine for repeat offenders, highlighting the frustration of commuters and the importance of visible enforcement.

Original reporting

• BBC: People playing loud music on buses could face £100 fine
  2026-10-19T00:22:20.873000+00:00
• Sky News: Playing music out loud on the bus? You could soon be fined £100
  2026-10-19T02:36:00+00:00
• GB News: Passengers who blast music without headphones on buses and trains could be hit with £100 fines
  2026-10-19T00:56:59+00:00