Major travel firm warns passengers over common 'nuisance' behaviour that's on the rise

With the introduction of 4G on most routes across the London Underground, the rise in people streaming music and videos from their phones has been extremely apparent.

And now, Transport for London (TfL) is targeting the 'disruptive behaviour' of passengers who play music and make calls using mobile phone loudspeakers.

The travel firm said most bus and Tube travellers considered such behaviour 'a nuisance' and that some found the additional noise very stressful.

For this reason, there will be posters appearing on the Elizabeth line from today, urging passengers to use headphones with their device when listening to music or videos.

The posters will also ask passengers to look up from their screens in case someone else needs their seat more - and will start to appear on other TfL services from the autumn, along with posts on social media.

Emma Strain, TfL's customer director, told BBC London: 'Most people use headphones, but even just a small number of people not doing so can create an unpleasant or even stressful environment for others, with the majority of customers we asked agreeing that this is disruptive behaviour.

'That's why we're reminding people to put their headphones on if they don't already, to give others the stress-free journey they'd expect for themselves.' 

It comes after Irish Rail, the largest rail operator in the Republic of Ireland, took drastic measures to crack down on antisocial behaviour - including £86 fines for rail passengers who vape and watch videos out loud onboard.

Earlier this month, Irish Rail introduced a new set of etiquette guidelines in response to mounting complaints about 'nuisance behaviour' on its trains. 

It aims to tackle a number of prevalent issues, including vaping, putting feet or bags on empty seats, and listening to music or watching videos without headphones.

Train inspectors 'have and will' issue fines of €100 (£84) if passengers fail to adhere to the new rules, according to Irish Rail Communications Manager, Barry Kenny. 

Though these fines have already existed under the CIE Bye-Laws, the rail operator is drawing focus to them once more in a new campaign to improve journeys for all. 

Speaking to Irish publication The Journal, Kenny said: 'It's very much based on what our customers want. When you’re travelling with us, you want to have an enjoyable journey.'

Read more

• Could fines of up to £1,000 finally silence the disruptive commuters blaring music on public transport?
• Will backlash over Irish Rail's new £86 vaping fines spark a nationwide train etiquette revolt?
• Are 'headphone dodgers' on UK public transport about to face a hefty £1,000 fine for blasting music?
• Why are Brits pushing for a £1,000 fine for 'headphone dodgers' on public transport?
• Is the controversial three-minute rule at King’s Cross making passengers run more by staring at phones instead?