The Lib Dems have called for loud music on public transport to be banned and have said that fines should be imposed on those who do not follow the rules
The Liberal Democrats have called for a ban on playing music out loud on public transport, suggesting fines of up to £1,000 for those who flout the rules.
Sir Ed Davey’s party is aiming to amend the Bus Services Bill that is currently progressing through the House of Lords, with the intention of making it illegal to play music and videos loudly from phones on buses and trains in England. They suggest that railway byelaws, which already forbid actions such as littering, spitting, and using offensive language, could be used to implement this change.
The Lib Dems believe local authorities could enforce similar prohibitions on bus music by reinforcing current antisocial behaviour legislation. Under their proposed measures, offenders could face penalties of up to £1,000.
Lisa Smart, the Lib Dems’ spokesperson for home affairs, commented on the issue, stating that antisocial behaviour is causing people to “dread their daily commute” and argued “headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”
She continued: “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.”
Smart also highlighted: “Time and time again, I hear from people who say they feel too intimidated to speak up when someone is blasting music or other content from a phone or speaker.”
The Liberal Democrats are advocating stringent consequences for those blasting loud music, as articulated by a party spokesperson: “That’s why the Liberal Democrats are calling for tough action on those who show complete disregard for others by playing loud music in shared spaces, including fines of up to £1,000.
“It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.”
Home Office insiders have disclosed an urgency in developing strategies to combat antisocial behaviour more effectively through fines, under instructions to make swift progress. An anonymous source detailed: “Under the Tories, on-the-spot fines for antisocial behaviour fell into practical disuse from the record levels set under the last Labour government.”
The focus is now on exploring how fines can be optimally applied, with the Home Secretary pressing her team for rapid completion: “There is now work to be done to understand how and where these kind of fines can be most useful and the Home Secretary has instructed her officials to carry out this analysis at pace, so that we can give the police the fullest range of powers possible to take effective action against anti-social behaviour, whatever form it takes and wherever it occurs.”
Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon echoed the sentiment, saying: “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.”