GOVERNMENT ISSUES GUIDANCE ON £100 BUS FINES FOR LOUD MUSIC

The government has issued guidance that could allow local authorities in England to fine bus passengers up to £100 for playing loud music. The Department for Transport says councils can use powers introduced earlier this year to set rules covering vaping, littering and threatening behaviour. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander must approve those rules before they take effect. The government says authorised officers, including transport safety officers and police, would enforce them, while bus drivers would not be responsible.

The measures could affect London’s bus network, though how they would apply to Transport for London services remains unclear. A national rail campaign launching on Monday will ask passengers to use headphones for music and videos. Rail operators will carry its message on their websites, on social media and in carriages. Existing rail rules permit removal from a train or fines of up to £1,000 for passengers who refuse a request to stop making noise.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone.” He said the noise “gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey”. Alexander said small changes in behaviour “can make a massive difference to people’s experience on public transport”. Ofcom, YouGov and Transport for London have published polls in recent years that found most respondents disliked passengers playing audio aloud.