'Headphone dodgers' targeted by new TfL campaign

A campaign encouraging people to use headphones when playing music on public transport is being rolled out in London from today.

Posters will begin appearing on the Elizabeth line on Tuesday reminding travellers not to play music out loud or to have conversations on speaker mode, as it may disturb other passengers.

It is the latest part of Transport for London's Travel Kind campaign, which is being rolled out across the wider transport network.

Rules around train travel already make playing music out loud an offence. But like other issues, such as fare evasion, this is subject to being enforced by the British Transport Police or the train operators themselves.

People using their phones for loud content has become a political issue in recent months, with both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives urging ministers to take action on it.

Earlier this year, the Lib Dems called for fines of up to £1,000 for "headphone dodgers" who play music out loud on buses and trains, while Tory shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said passengers should not have to "endure somebody else's choice of crap music".

Seb Dance, deputy mayor of London for transport, said the small minority who "play music or videos out loud can be a real nuisance to other passengers and directly disturb their journeys".

"However Londoners spend their journey, whether catching up on their favourite series or listening to music, we want everyone to have a pleasant journey."

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Posters will also encourage people to look up from their phones and to be aware that others travelling may be in need of a seat.

Previously, the Travel kind campaign included calls for vigilance about sexual harassment and urged travellers to move down inside London's Tube carriages to ensure others can get on.

(c) Sky News 2025: 'Headphone dodgers' targeted by new TfL campaign