Andy Burnham launches campaign against ‘headphone dodgers’ on public transport

Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on “headphone dodgers” who play loud music on public transport, as he extends his promise to give voters “breathing space” in the confines of a train carriage.

The prime minister will unveil a campaign against nuisance behaviour on public transport on Monday, alongside guidance allowing local transport authorities to levy fines of up to £100 for non-compliance.

The move makes him the latest senior politician to promise action against people who play videos or music out loud in public spaces, something that about 60% of voters back.

Burnham said in a statement: “We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone. It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey.

“So, we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.

“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”

Under the plan, ministers will issue guidance to local transport authorities advising them on how they should use new powers granted under the Bus Services Act, which allows them to set and enforce their own rules on board.

The guidance will say authorities should issue fines of up to £100 if bus passengers refuse to comply with a request to stop certain nuisance behaviour.

Officials said drivers would not be expected to enforce such rules. That job would be left to transport safety officers or police officers. Train operating companies already have the power to issue fines of up to £1,000 for similar behaviour.

Alongside the new powers, the government is launching a poster campaign to discourage people from playing videos or music on their phones out loud on public transport.

Under the slogan “share the carriage, not the noise”, passengers will be encouraged to use headphones, avoid making calls on speakerphone and watch videos quietly.

The campaign makes Burnham the latest in a series of politicians to promise to tackle headphone dodgers.

The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, unveiled a campaign in the summer urging passengers to “travel kind”, including by wearing headphones. The Liberal Democrats have called for bus travellers to face £1,000 fines as well as those on trains.

The scramble for politicians to react comes as polls show noise on public transport is a major annoyance for British people.

A recent poll by YouGov found voters would back £1,000 fines for people playing music out loud on buses and trains. A separate survey by the same company found that voters listed people talking on speakerphones as one of their top three irritants.

Unions, however, said the new enforcement regime would do little to protect transport workers.

The general secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, said: “The government’s proposals are well-meaning but wholly inadequate to tackle the challenges and violence bus workers are facing on a daily basis. The proposed penalties are not going to deal with the issues facing workers.”