England guidance sets path for bus nuisance penalties

The Department for Transport issued guidance on October 19, 2026, encouraging local authorities in England to introduce rules against nuisance behaviour on buses, including loud music, vaping and littering. Fixed penalties could reach £100, but they will apply only where authorities adopt local rules and those rules receive approval from the Transport Secretary. The guidance explains how local transport authorities can use powers established under the Bus Services Act 2025 to set and enforce bus rules. The rules are not an automatic nationwide ban or penalty: each authority must decide whether to introduce them and define the rules for its network. The approval process must be completed before enforcement begins. Bus drivers will not be responsible for confronting passengers or issuing penalties. The government says enforcement may be carried out by authorised officers, including transport safety officers and police. The guidance does not specify how many authorities will adopt rules or how enforcement will be staffed in practice. The government also announced a nationwide rail campaign encouraging passengers to use headphones and avoid playing audio aloud. Planned for October...