The Liberal Democrats have called for a ban on playing loud music on buses and trains in England, suggesting fines of up to £1,000 to tackle antisocial behaviour and improve commuter experience. The proposal is part of amendments to the Bus Services Bill currently under review in the House of Lords.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed a ban on playing loud music on public transport in England, recommending fines of up to £1,000 for those who breach the rules. This initiative, aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour, targets individuals who play music or videos loudly from phones or speakers on buses and trains.
The party plans to amend the Bus Services Bill, which is currently under consideration in the House of Lords, to make it illegal to play loud music on public transport. Their approach suggests utilising existing railway byelaws, which already prohibit activities such as littering, spitting, and the use of offensive language, to enforce the ban. Additionally, local authorities could reinforce these restrictions by applying current antisocial behaviour legislation, enabling them to impose penalties on offenders.
Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson for home affairs, spoke on this issue, describing how antisocial behaviour causes many commuters to “dread their daily commute.” She identified those dubbed “headphone dodgers” — people who play loud music on buses and trains — as among the most disruptive offenders. Smart said, “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.” She highlighted that people often feel intimidated and reluctant to confront those who blast loud music, adding, “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 emphasised the need for strict measures, with a party spokesperson saying, “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.”
Meanwhile, Home Office insiders have revealed a renewed governmental focus on tackling antisocial behaviour through fines. An anonymous source noted that “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 Home Secretary has instructed officials to analyse how fines targeting antisocial behaviour can be used most effectively and swiftly, stating the goal is to provide police with a broader range of powers to address such conduct wherever it occurs.
In addition, the shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon supported the proposal, remarking, “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.”
This proposal highlights the growing concerns among politicians about noise and antisocial conduct on public transport and reflects a broader governmental push to restore order and civility in shared public spaces. The ultimate decision on the Bus Services Bill amendment and the extent of any penalties will be determined as the Bill proceeds through parliamentary scrutiny.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/liberal-democrats-lib-dems-home-secretary-house-of-lords-home-office-b1223903.html – This article corroborates the Liberal Democrats’ proposal to ban playing loud music on public transport in England and their recommendation for fines up to £1,000 for violations.
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/public-transport-fines-loud-music-b2738142.html – Supports details about the Liberal Democrats seeking a legal change to ban loud music on buses and trains, the term ‘headphone dodgers’, and the party spokespersons’ statements on antisocial behaviour and fines.
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/24/liberal-democrats-call-for-ban-on-loud-music-on-public-transport – Confirms the amendment to the Bus Services Bill proposed by the Liberal Democrats and the use of existing railway byelaws and antisocial behaviour legislation to enforce the ban.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65395452 – Details statements from Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart on commuters feeling intimidated by loud music, including quotes about the impact on public transport passengers.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/23/home-office-fines-antisocial-behaviour-police-powers/ – Corroborates the Home Office’s renewed focus on addressing antisocial behaviour through fines and expanding police powers, as well as commentary on the reduced use of fines under the current Tory government.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
No direct dates provided in the narrative, but references to the Bus Services Bill under consideration suggest recent relevance. The absence of outdated claims (e.g., no obsolete role references) supports this score.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Lisa Smart and the shadow transport secretary are cited with contextual quotes aligned with party positions. No earlier references found for these specific statements, suggesting original sourcing.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Manchester Evening News, a regional outlet. While not nationally authoritative like the BBC, it provides reasonable credibility for local policy coverage.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Proposal aligns with existing antisocial behaviour legislation and parliamentary processes. Cross-referencing recent Home Office focus on fines supports plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The proposal demonstrates consistency with current policy trends, credible sourcing, and plausible legislative alignment, warranting a high-confidence pass pending further verification of parliamentary progress.
