Lib Dems propose £1,000 fines for loudcasting on London buses and Tube

Passengers using mobile phones on loudspeaker on London buses and the Tube could face fines of up to £1,000 under proposals from the Liberal Democrats. The party’s transport spokesman, Olly Glover, said the measure would address a growing lack of social awareness since the pandemic, as reported by the BBC.

Transport for London has already taken steps to curb the practice. In summer 2024, TfL relaunched its Travel Kind campaign across the network, urging passengers to use headphones. The campaign follows a survey of 1,000 people, 70% of whom said loud music and phone calls without headphones were a nuisance.

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Why loudcasting has become more common

Mobile data use in the UK has risen by 13% year-on-year, according to Ofcom figures published in July. The rollout of 5G and cheaper data packages mean more people can stream content in public without worrying about limits. This has contributed to the rise of loudcasting, where passengers play videos, music or take calls without headphones.

Young people are the most likely to engage in the practice. An Ofcom survey of 1,000 people in August 2022 found that 69% of 13-to-17-year-olds thought it was acceptable to make video calls without headphones. For music, the figure was 73%, and for videos, 83%.

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People were just used to walking around their homes in their bunny slippers, and when they came back into the commons and the social space they forgot there were rules they had to follow.

Harry Witchel, University of Sussex physiology professor

Experts say loudcasting is partly a generational behaviour. Harry Witchel, a physiology professor at the University of Sussex, told the BBC that adolescents use it to signal independence from parents and connection with peers. Rachael Kent, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, said it can also be a way to express identity and rebel.

What enforcement already exists

TfL said its officers already ask passengers to stop loudcasting, and most comply. If they refuse, further action can be taken, including prosecution. The government has said existing railway by-laws already allow for £1,000 fines for disruptive passengers, as reported by the BBC.

In February, transport under-secretary Keir Mather told a committee hearing he would discuss stronger enforcement with officials. The Department for Transport later said it expected rail operators to use existing powers. The Bus Services Act, passed in October 2023, also empowers local authorities to crack down on nuisance passengers.

The Liberal Democrats’ proposal has gained some Conservative support. Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, said rules could be “beefed up” to allow passengers to report loudcasting as illegal. She told the BBC she had noticed the issue on commutes between Plymouth and London, though not in her local area.

What happens next

The Department for Transport has not indicated plans to introduce new legislation. It said rail operators should use existing powers to address disruptive behaviour. TfL’s Travel Kind campaign will continue to run across the network, reminding passengers to use headphones.

The Liberal Democrats have not yet tabled a formal proposal for fines. It is unclear whether the party will push for a parliamentary debate or seek to amend existing transport laws. Residents can respond to TfL’s campaign by reporting persistent loudcasting to staff or via the TfL website.