Andy Burnham has launched a campaign against passengers who play loud music on public transport, urging travellers to «share the carriage, not the noise» as part of a wider push to give commuters more «breathing space».
The prime minister will unveil the initiative on Monday, alongside new guidance that will allow local transport authorities to levy fines of up to £100 for non-compliance. The measures target what the campaign describes as «headphone dodgers» — passengers who broadcast music or other audio from their phones and speakers rather than using headphones.
The announcement marks an extension of Burnham's promise to give voters more breathing space in their daily lives, applying that commitment to the confined environment of a train carriage or bus. The guidance is intended to give transport authorities outside London a clearer route to enforcing standards of behaviour that have long been a source of complaint among commuters.
Under the plans, local transport authorities will be able to issue penalties of up to £100 to passengers who refuse to comply with requests to turn down or silence loud audio. The campaign is being presented as a response to nuisance behaviour rather than a broad new criminal offence, with the emphasis placed on changing norms and encouraging consideration for fellow passengers.
The initiative places Burnham's government firmly on the side of commuters who have complained about antisocial behaviour on public transport, a issue that regularly features in surveys of passenger satisfaction. By framing the policy around shared space and mutual respect, ministers hope to avoid accusations of overreach while still delivering a visible change that passengers can notice on their daily journeys.
Transport authorities will now be expected to set out how they intend to use the new powers, with the guidance providing a framework for enforcement. The fines are capped at £100, a level that officials believe is high enough to deter repeat behaviour without being seen as punitive.
The campaign also carries political significance for Burnham, who has sought to position himself as a champion of everyday concerns. Extending his «breathing space» message from the broader environment to the inside of a bus or train allows him to connect a national political theme to a tangible, local experience shared by millions of passengers.
Commuters and passenger groups have long called for clearer rules on loud music and phone calls on public transport, though enforcement has varied widely between operators and regions. The new guidance aims to standardise the response, giving authorities a consistent tool to address complaints that have often fallen between the responsibilities of operators, local councils and police.
It remains to be seen how quickly the powers will be used and whether passengers will notice a difference on their regular routes. For now, the message from the prime minister is simple: bring headphones, or expect to pay.