Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on "headphone dodgers" who play loud music on public transport. The campaign, which he will unveil on Monday, aims to give passengers "breathing space" on journeys.
The initiative includes guidance that will allow local transport authorities to issue fines of up to £100 for nuisance behaviour on buses. This guidance will advise authorities on using new powers under the Bus Services Act to set and enforce their own rules.
Officials have stated that transport safety officers or police officers, rather than drivers, would be responsible for enforcing these rules. Train operating companies already possess the authority to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour.
Alongside the new powers, a poster campaign with the slogan "share the carriage, not the noise" will encourage passengers to use headphones, avoid speakerphone calls, and watch videos quietly.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham commented that the government's proposals are "well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers are facing on a daily basis."