You know that guy on the bus with full-volume Reels? He’s not gonna like this.
Were you ever forced to listen to someone else’s music because they were blasting it on their phone’s speaker while riding the bus?
You’re not alone.
In the UK, Liberal Democrats want to fine people up to £1,000 for playing loud music on public transport without headphones. A recent YouGov poll shows 62% of Britons back this crackdown on what some call “sodcasting.”
While regulations already prohibit antisocial behavior, the party is trying to change current laws to clearly ban the practice.
Proposal Aims to Silence Unwanted Noise
The Liberal Democrats want to make it illegal to play music and videos out loud from phones on English trains and buses. They’re pushing to update railway rules to make playing music without headphones an offense that could lead to a hefty fine.
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart said this would help passengers bothered by noise during travel.
The plan has strong public support. A YouGov survey of 6,815 Britons found that 62% either “strongly support” or “somewhat support” the fines. About a quarter of people surveyed were against it, while 9% were undecided.
Public Frustration Grows Over Unwanted Music
Many commuters are increasingly annoyed about having to listen to other people’s music choices while traveling.
A Savanta survey for the Liberal Democrats found that nearly four in ten people (38%) had dealt with others playing music out loud “often” or “sometimes” on public transport.
The issue seems worse in big cities. Mariah Smith, who lives in London but comes from Australia, shared her frustration on TikTok.
People on Reddit are also annoyed, with some pointing out that passengers aren’t even listening to music, but TikTok and Instagram reels, which makes the practice even more disruptive.
Despite widespread irritation, most passengers don’t feel they can speak up.
The Liberal Democrats’ survey found 54% of people wouldn’t feel comfortable asking someone to turn down their music. Women (63%) were much less likely to speak up than men (46%).
Current Rules and Implementation Plans
Existing railway rules already ban many types of disruptive behavior on trains and at stations. This includes using devices that make noise without permission if it bothers others.
Staff can also remove bus passengers who play sounds that annoy fellow travelers.
The government is also adding new measures to support these rules, like required training for staff on handling incidents.
However, the Liberal Democrats argue that current rules aren’t clear enough. They plan to change the Bus Service Bill that’s currently moving through Parliament and will soon be discussed by peers.
They also want a national awareness campaign with posters at train platforms and bus stops.
Cross-Party Views on the Proposal
The idea has some support from both Labour and Conservative politicians, who have suggested similar measures before.
Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon acknowledged that while it might seem minor, the issue matters.
As frustration mounts over headphone-free audio on public transport, the proposed fines reflect a growing demand for quieter, more respectful shared spaces.
Whether this plan becomes law or not, one thing is clear: many commuters are tired of the unwanted soundtrack to their daily ride.