Many Londoners would agree that there is a set of unwritten rules for travelers on the city’s Underground and iconic red buses. Eye contact is largely a no-go. Interactions are kept at a minimum, with exceptions for cute babies and dogs.
But in recent years, one long-held convention, that riders should keep their electronic devices quiet, has appeared to be crumbling — in many places around the world — as some travelers scroll videos or play music without headphones.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham of Britain this week announced a national campaign against what he described as “one of the most annoying things on public transport.”
The government is urging passengers to use headphones on trains or risk being asked to leave the train or face a fine, and is publicizing existing policies that allow the local authorities to issue fines of up to 100 pounds (about $134) to tackle loud music on buses. The reality of how that will be enforced remains unclear, however.
On Tuesday morning, London commuters weighed in on the plans.
Patricia Foley, 69
Patricia Foley has lived in London her whole life and said that she always felt that people using public transportation were polite. In recent years, though, she feels that has changed.
“People are so rude now, and I am not sure why,” she said. “And I would never challenge anyone myself.”
She said she was happy about government efforts to address antisocial behavior, as it would take the responsibility off other passengers.
“I think it’s a brilliant proposal because who wants to sit next to someone watching a film or something loud?” she said. “But how do you implement it? They are not going to spend money on people patrolling this.”
Geoff Newnham, 37, and Freya Skerten, 32
Geoff Newnham said that he found music blaring from people’s phones irritating and that he was in favor of the idea of fines “because it gets the message out there.” But he, too, was skeptical it could work.
“I think the reality is that enforcing those fines is going to be very difficult, and it’s probably just going to cause more issues,” he said. “The people that are quite happy to obnoxiously play their music are not going to be the people who will necessarily respond well to being challenged over it.”
He and his partner, Freya Skerten, had spent a long weekend in London with their 11-week-old baby and were waiting to board a train home. Ms. Skerten gently rocked their daughter’s stroller back and forth in an effort to keep her asleep as she explained that most people kept to themselves on public transportation.
“I think it’s a real British thing, isn’t it?” she said, but added with a smile, “Unless you have a baby — then everyone wants to speak to you.”
Ken Oluwadare, 23
Ken Oluwadare was quietly scrolling through his phone on his way to university. He is studying for a degree in popular music performance.
“I’m studying drumming and I love music, but it’s only on when I am wearing my headphones,” he said.
In a hushed voice, he said he would prefer to see a campaign for more public awareness rather than fines. “Maybe the way they announce the next stop, they should also be telling people, ‘On this train, we won’t be allowing any loud noises.’”
Emma Hawkins, 57, and Bea Hawkins, 22
“I don’t think it’s going to be effective; it’s nonsense,” Emma Hawkins said of the government’s plans. “I’d rather they spend more time dealing with other crime.”
She and her daughter, Bea Hawkins, were waiting for a train in Paddington Station and agreed that noisy neighbors on the bus and train were a real nuisance.
“I think it’s long overdue for someone to do something about this,” Bea said. “Especially when someone is watching Reels, it’s so annoying because it’s this different blast of music every few seconds,” she added, referring to Instagram’s short-form vertical videos.
Tosh Polpitiye, 53
Tosh Polpitiye, who was waiting on the train platform with his two dogs, Guinness and Ouzo, during the Tuesday rush hour, said he thought fines could have a positive effect on riders’ experience.
“I don’t want to hear other people’s phones,” he said. “I don’t want to hear what they are listening to. I don’t even like it when they have their speakers on to make a call.” He added, “You aren’t in your house.”
The fines could make more people compliant, he said, likening it to penalties for breaking the speed limit: “It’s consequences that typically make people not want to do those actions.”
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