Passengers in England who play music or videos aloud on buses without headphones could face fines of up to £100 under new government guidance.
The measures target antisocial behavior on public transport, including loud audio playback, vaping, and littering.
Officials have directed local authorities to address the problem through appropriate enforcement personnel.
Enforcement Falls to Officers, Not Drivers
According to the government, bus drivers will not be responsible for enforcing the rules.
Transport safety officers and police officers are expected to handle enforcement instead.
The guidance places responsibility for addressing the behavior on those officers rather than drivers, leaving staffing and enforcement capacity as key concerns.
A national campaign aimed at train passengers is also being launched to encourage consideration for other travelers.
Its message is to "share the carriage, not the noise," emphasizing the need to avoid disturbing fellow passengers with audio played through personal devices.
The practice of playing audio from phones or other devices aloud in public has become known as "loudcasting."
The government has issued guidance to local authorities in England on addressing this behavior alongside other forms of antisocial conduct on public transport.
However, questions remain about how effectively the rules can be enforced.
Other political parties and campaigners have raised concerns about the availability of personnel to respond to incidents, particularly if the measures are introduced without additional funding for transport safety officers.
Some members of the public have welcomed the proposed measures, while others have questioned whether enforcement will be practical.
