Overview

• The Conservatives say they will amend the Railways Bill to require train operators to enforce byelaws against loud music, introduce on-the-spot fines and publish enforcement metrics.
• They also plan Bus Services Bill changes to create equivalent protections on buses, addressing the current gap where no specific nationwide ban is in place.
• The Department for Transport says strict rules already cover antisocial behaviour on public transport, with potential £1,000 fines, and it is rolling out mandatory staff training for bus networks.
• Liberal Democrats proposed similar action in April, calling for fines up to £1,000, though Tory leader Kemi Badenoch questioned the practicality of such large penalties.
• Separately, Transport for London begins a ‘Travel Kind’ push with posters on the Elizabeth line from Tuesday encouraging headphone use, ahead of a wider rollout across the capital’s network.