Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new campaign asking passengers to use headphones when watching videos or making phone calls on public transport.
The move comes after new research found that 70 per cent of 1,000 people surveyed said they find loud music and phone conversations without headphones disruptive.
Posters highlighting the message are already in place on the Elizabeth line and will be rolled out to other services including buses, the Underground, London Overground, DLR and Tram services from October.
The campaign is part of TfL’s ongoing #TravelKind initiative, which promotes respectful behaviour on public transport.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “The vast majority of Londoners use headphones when travelling on public transport in the capital, but the small minority who play music or videos out loud can be a real nuisance to other passengers and directly disturb their journeys.
“TfL’s new campaign will remind and encourage Londoners to always be considerate of other passengers. However Londoners spend their journey, whether catching up on their favourite series or listening to music, we want everyone to have a pleasant journey.”
Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, added: “We want everyone to have a pleasant and comfortable journey on our services. Better mobile coverage on our network means we’re more connected than ever, and while that means we can stream music and shows and make calls on the go, we must be considerate of others.
“Most people use headphones, but even just a small number of people not doing so can create an unpleasant or even stressful environment for others, with the majority of customers we asked agreeing that this is disruptive behaviour. 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.”
The campaign also reminds passengers to look up from their screens in case someone nearby needs a seat.
Large parts of the Tube and the Elizabeth line already have 4G and 5G coverage, with work continuing to bring full mobile service to the entire network in the coming years.
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