£1,000 fine for playing music out loud on public transport proposed by Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats have proposed a ban on people playing music and videos out loud via their phones on public transport.

Under the plan, which is being tabled as an amendment to the bus services bill, those who don’t use headphones while using transport, or waiting at train stations and bus stops, could face a maximum fine of £1,000. Transport policy is devolved in the UK, meaning any such ban would apply to England only if passed into law. If the law did come into action, the ban would be promoted through a national publicity campaign.

The Liberal Democrats commissioned polling to back up their proposals, which showed 38% of people said they had experienced people playing loud music from their phones often or sometimes, while 28% of people said this had happened rarely. The survey also found that 54% of people said they would not feel comfortable asking a person to turn down their music on public transport, with this figure rising to 63% specifically among women.

Lisa Smart, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, said: “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour – and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders. Whether you’re heading to work, taking your kids to school or simply trying to enjoy a moment of peace, everyone deserves to feel safe and respected on public transport.

The Conservatives said they would back the proposals, as long as a ban was properly enforced. Gareth Bacon, the shadow transport secretary, said: “Everyone deserves to travel in peace. Playing loud music on public transport may seem like a small thing, but it speaks towards a growing tolerance of antisocial behaviour that chips away at public civility.”

As The Guardian reports, other countries have already imposed such bans. Earlier this year, for example, a man was fined €200 by rail staff after making a phone call on loudspeaker in a quiet area of Nantes station in France. He is challenging the punishment, however.