Tories push for stricter laws to curb loud music and antisocial behaviour on public transport

The Conservative Party has unveiled proposals for tougher enforcement against disruptive noise and antisocial conduct on buses and trains, including fines and new powers for transport staff, amid cross-party support and ongoing debates about balancing enforcement with public sensitivities.

The Conservative Party has set its sights on tackling the longstanding nuisance of loud music and antisocial behaviour on public transport, proposing new legal measures aimed at protecting passengers from disruptive noise. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden has called for swifter justice against those who blast music on buses and trains, arguing that commuters should not be forced to “endure somebody else’s choice of crap music.” The proposals include tougher enforcement of existing railway byelaws, which currently forbid playing music to the annoyance of others, and plans to extend similar protections to bus passengers through amendments to the Bus Services Bill now before Parliament.

Under current railway byelaws, offenders can face fines of up to £1,000 for causing annoyance, but enforcement has been inconsistent. The Tories want to ensure operators implement these rules robustly by empowering staff to issue on-the-spot fines. Moreover, the Bus Services Bill would grant transport authorities powers to create byelaws against low-level antisocial behaviours and deploy officers to uphold them across the bus network.

The Conservative proposals dovetail with similar calls from the Liberal Democrats, who have fervently pushed for stringent penalties against so-called “headphone dodgers” — passengers who play music or videos aloud, disturbing fellow travellers. The Lib Dem plan includes fines up to £1,000 specifically targeting those who refuse to use headphones on public transport. This initiative has garnered cross-party support, including cautious approval from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who expressed reservations about the practicalities of imposing large fines but affirmed a strong stance against antisocial behaviour.

Government sources underline that strict laws already exist to maintain decorum on public transport, including potential fines of up to £1,000. The Department for Transport has also introduced additional measures such as mandatory training for transport staff to handle antisocial incidents more effectively. Alongside these legal tools, a new initiative is supporting the deployment of specially trained Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) across several English regions. These officers work closely with police forces and the British Transport Police to enforce rules and promote safer, more respectful environments on buses, trains, and trams.

Despite the legislative push, some voices caution against heavy-handed penalties. Commentators have noted the ambivalence many people feel towards unsolicited noise in public spaces — while it can be irritating, it also forms part of urban life’s complex soundscape. Instead of relying solely on fines, there is a call to encourage the public to engage with offenders directly, fostering mutual respect and accountability without escalating into punitive measures. This balance seeks to maintain public transport as a peaceful yet vibrant shared experience.

The drive to regulate public transport noise reflects broader concerns over everyday antisocial behaviour, a persistent issue that governments have tried to address for decades. Historical efforts, dating back to 19th-century laws against street musicians and noisy conductors, show that managing urban noise has long challenged policymakers. Today’s proposals aim to modernise these efforts, applying clearer rules and better enforcement to create a more pleasant, less disruptive journey for millions of commuters.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

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:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents recent proposals by the Conservative Party regarding public transport noise, with the earliest known publication date being August 24, 2025. Similar discussions have occurred in April 2025, notably the Liberal Democrats’ proposal for fines up to £1,000 for passengers playing loud music on public transport. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/apr/23/lib-dems-back-ban-on-playing-music-and-videos-on-public-transport-in-england?utm_source=openai)) The Conservative Party’s current stance appears to be a response to these earlier proposals, indicating a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
9

Notes:
The direct quote from Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden, “Taking public transport shouldn’t mean having to endure somebody else’s choice of crap music,” appears to be original, with no exact matches found in earlier material. This suggests the content is potentially original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable news outlet. The information aligns with reports from other reputable sources, such as The Guardian and The Standard, confirming the reliability of the information presented. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/apr/23/lib-dems-back-ban-on-playing-music-and-videos-on-public-transport-in-england?utm_source=openai), [standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/kemi-badenoch-government-liberal-democrats-conservative-home-office-b1224116.html?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The proposals align with the Conservative Party’s recent focus on transport policies, including measures to address antisocial behaviour on public transport. The narrative is consistent with the party’s previous statements and actions, such as the pledge to reverse the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the plan to stop road pricing. ([fleetnews.co.uk](https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/conservatives-pledge-to-stop-road-pricing-and-reverse-ulez-expansion?utm_source=openai), [bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgg2629xplo?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative presents recent and original proposals by the Conservative Party regarding public transport noise, with direct quotes from a reputable source. The information is consistent with the party’s recent focus on transport policies, and the source is reliable. No significant discrepancies or signs of disinformation were identified.