Councils across England have been given guidance on using new powers to tackle nuisance behaviour on buses, the Department for Transport announced. Under rules that came into force on 5 August 2026 through the Bus Services Act 2025, local transport authorities can set their own byelaws and issue fixed penalties of up to £100 for offences such as playing loud music, vaping, littering and threatening behaviour, according to the government.

Key points

  • Bus fines — penalties of up to £100 for nuisance behaviour, with enforcement by authorised officers and police rather than drivers.
  • Rail campaign — a national push telling passengers to 'share the carriage, not the noise' and use headphones.
  • Rail penalties — passengers who refuse to stop can be removed at the next station or face fines of up to £1,000.
  • Approval needed — each local byelaw must be signed off by the Secretary of State before it can be enforced.

The rail campaign, led by the industry, is intended to replace the mix of separate messages run by different operators with one consistent set of reminders. Announcements and posters will remind passengers about the rules, and staff will be able to ask those playing music or video out loud to stop.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said inconsiderate behaviour from a small number of people spoils journeys for everyone, and that even modest changes can improve the experience of travelling by bus or train. Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, welcomed the guidance, saying the region's transport safety officers were already making a difference and that the new backing would help make journeys quieter and cleaner.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

The change matters most to bus passengers in England, where councils can now draw up their own rules and penalties. Until a byelaw is approved and in force in your area, nothing changes on the ground, so the practical effect will arrive area by area rather than all at once.

  • On the bus — expect signs and authorised officers in areas that adopt byelaws; drivers themselves will not be handing out fines.
  • On the train — using headphones is the simple takeaway, as staff can ask you to stop and escalate if you refuse.
  • Worth checking — your local transport authority's website will show whether new rules are in force where you travel.