OPINION
Sir Ed Davey engaged in another of his trademark election trail stunts (Image: PA)
How many times have you endured a journey on public transport that was ruined by inconsiderate passengers playing music loudly, or watching videos on their smartphone? Or even worse, holding a video call with their mate or relative – thus forcing you to hear both sides of the conversation about their weekend plans, what they might be having for their tea or their latest relationship crisis?
It is an increasing menace on buses and trains – which is why the latest rare policy offering from the Liberal Democrats is worthy of noting and even endorsing. Writing those words was not easy. I have a complicated relationship with the Liberal Democrats. I find leader Sir Ed Davey’s stunts and antics often wince-inducing. Watching a grown man riding a hobby horse over a series of jumps as part of a campaign launch was both bizarre and embarrassing.
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Let’s be honest, the Lib Dems are not really known as an industrious policy-making machine. However, their recent announcement has picked up on something millions of commuters find tedious, distressing and even threatening. They have tabled an amendment to a piece of legislation going through Parliament which would increase the list of antisocial behaviours on public transport subject to financial penalties.
The legislation itself is the Bus Services Bill. E xisting bylaws allow for financial penalties for forms of anti-social behaviour, such as dropping litter or using threatening language. The Lib Dems are proposing to change this so that blaring music or videos from a phone also counts as a form of anti-social behaviour. They are suggesting perpetrators should be punished by a fine of up to ￡1,000.
If their amendment is successful, it will bring joy to the ears of commuters who are fed-up with this kind of behaviour. You might think this is not the best use of parliamentary time and there are far bigger issues that need addressing, which is a fair observation.
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But this policy would begin to address a wider and growing issue. Recent polling reveals that 54% would feel uncomfortable asking someone playing their music or videos loudly on public transport to turn down the volume. Women especially say they would be fearful of calling out this form of anti-social behaviour, with 63% saying they simply would not.
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More than a third of people say they have endured this type of disturbance frequently or occasionally. Nobody should have to put up with this or feel this way. It is a symptom of a society where those who have complete disregard or contempt for others feel increasingly emboldened to continue with such behaviour because there are zero consequences. And leaving it unchallenged creates a climate where some feel that they can do what the hell they want.
It also gives a green light to those who enjoy intimidating passengers or making them feel uncomfortable. I am fed up with those in society who have no respect for others. And I know I am not alone. Frankly, we should not have to put up with it.
This Lib Dem policy is to be welcomed. There are similarities here with something known in criminology as the broken windows theory. This is based on the view that, if you take a zero-tolerance approach to visible signs of disorder or anti-social behaviour such as broken windows, fare dodging, loitering or vandalism, it reduces the likelihood of further lawbreaking or more serious crimes.
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Former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton successfully put this theory into action in the 1990s and significantly reduced crime. It could be beneficial to take a similarly robust approach in the UK when it comes to this aggressive form of noise pollution on public transport.
There are, of course, questions on how such a policy would be enforced – and do we really want to live in a society where an individual is potentially fined for scrolling through their TikTok videos too loudly or playing drum and bass music at an ear-splitting volume? These are all justifiable concerns, but change is needed.
If people cannot regulate their own behaviour on public transport, and not make a journey miserable for other commuters, somebody with authority needs to step in and tackle it. Most smartphones come with headphones or ear-pods when you buy them. You can also easily pick up a pair for less than ￡10 online. There is no excuse for this latest form of anti-social behaviour – the time has come to come down hard on these selfish and menacing headphone dodgers.
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