Story perspectives

UK sets £100 fines for loud music on buses

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 3:26 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Enforcement by officers

The UK government introduced a £100 fine for passengers playing loud music on England’s buses.
Enforcement will be carried out by Transport Safety Officers and police, not bus drivers, raising implementation questions.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said changes can improve passengers’ experience.
TSSA chief Maryam Eslamdoust said the crackdown is a step in the right direction.
Michael Solomon Williams warned antisocial behaviour could deter those with accessibility needs from transport.

Left

Union safety concerns

The UK government set a £100 fine for passengers playing loud music on English buses.
Unions say the fine fails to address broader safety and violence problems faced by bus workers.
Mayor Andy Burnham announced a nationwide campaign urging passengers to use headphones on public transport.
Leaders will gain powers to fine £100 for loud music, vaping and littering on buses.

Blindspot

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said local leaders will be given new powers to fine passengers up to £100 for playing loud music, vaping and littering on buses, according to the Department for Transport guidance issued on 5 August 2026.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, enacted in 2003, introduced ASBOs that empowered authorities to curb disruptive conduct on public transport. The Home Office, led by Secretary David Blunkett, authorized fines up to £5,000, a penalty that targeted noise, litter, and intimidation. Today, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Mayor Andy Burnham echo that model by imposing £100 fines for loud music, vaping, and litter on English buses. The precedent suggests that incremental penalties will become standard tools for local authorities seeking to improve passenger safety and accessibility across the UK.

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Enforcement by officers

The UK government introduced a £100 fine for passengers playing loud music on England’s buses.
Enforcement will be carried out by Transport Safety Officers and police, not bus drivers, raising implementation questions.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said changes can improve passengers’ experience.
TSSA chief Maryam Eslamdoust said the crackdown is a step in the right direction.
Michael Solomon Williams warned antisocial behaviour could deter those with accessibility needs from transport.

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