Passengers on London’s public transport are being encouraged to be more considerate of their fellow commuters by a refresh of a Transport for London (TfL) #TravelKind campaign, in partnership with consumer electronics firm JBL.
The initiative, originally launched in 2017 to coincide with World Kindness Day in November of the same year, urged passengers on London’s light rail, buses, and underground, to be aware of their impact on others, through actions such as having their cards ready to swipe at turnstiles to prevent logjams, moving along inside carriages to make space, including for wheelchair users, and being vigilant about sexual harassment.
But with 4G and 5G covering more of the TfL network, the refreshed #TravelKind campaign now reminds transport users to “look up from their screens when using public transport in case someone needs their seat more,” as well as making sure to wear headphones or earbuds if listening to music or other content while on the move. People who like the campaign’s Instagram posts are in with a chance of winning a pair of wireless JBL Live 770 NC headphones, to help them respect the rules.
The #TravelKind update comes after a TfL survey of 1,000 customers revealed as many as 70% of them find loud music and phone conversations without headphones disruptive to their journeys. “Most people use headphones, but even a small number not doing so can create an unpleasant or stressful environment,” said Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director. “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.”
With so-called “bare-beating” (playing music aloud, on the rise), many British commuters, renowned for their reticence to have any interaction on public transport, say they are too intimidated to ask offenders to turn down their volume.
@tfl Pop your headphones on and help us keep journeys comfortable for everyone on our network 🎧 #publictransport #etiquette #trains #travelkind ♬ original sound – Transport for London
While some politicians have called for tougher action, including fixed penalty notices for breaking the silence, the UK Department for Transport has pointed out that “strict rules” are already in place to manage antisocial behaviour on public transport, including fines as high as £1,000 (over €1,150).
TfL bylaws prohibit the “annoyance of any person” by people singing or playing audible music without written permission anywhere on the network. Though rare, prosecutions do happen. In 2023, a passenger was fined over £300 for playing loud music on the Jubilee line.
In February 2025, a French man was fined €200 for making a phone call on speakerphone on the platform at Nantes station in the north of the country. Similar to the UK rules, the French Transport Code stipulates that “sound devices or instruments” used in such a way as to “disturb the peace of others” in public transport spaces can result in a financial penalty.
