TfL has launched a new campaign to encourage people to use headphones when listening to personal devices on public transport.
Ask any Londoner* what annoys them most about using buses, trains or Tubes these days, and the most common response would likely relate to people listening to music, watching videos or making calls on their phones without headphones, blasting the sound out to the whole carriage/bus.
So TfL is extending its existing #TravelKind campaign, putting up new posters encouraging people who play content using their device's speakers to be considerate towards others and use headphones. In addition to being annoying for the majority of us, TfL points out that the issue is especially acute for those with conditions which heighten noise sensitivity, such as autism.
The ads will appear on the Elizabeth line from today (26 August) and will be rolled out across other lines and services this autumn. While it's promising to see the issue being addressed, it's hard to imagine a few posters having much impact at all — not least because anyone glued to their screen for their entire commute is unlikely to notice them (or, some might argue, they're already aware that they're being a nuisance but simply don't care).
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.
As 4G and 5G access across the transport network increases, and people are able to stay connected for larger portions of their journeys, the issue is likely to become more widespread.
Of course, the problem isn't confined to public transport. Coffee shops, restaurants, parks and pretty much all public spaces are susceptible to people playing sound without headphones, but in the majority of these scenarios, you can move away. When you're on a train, Tube or bus on your way to work, it's not always as easy to get away from the annoyance in such an enclosed space.
While we appreciate TfL taking steps to address the issues, we're not sure it'll have that much impact. Some have suggested fining those who don't comply, similar to the alcohol ban on the network — but this would be tricky to enforce.
*TfL actually did ask, and found that 70% of 1,000 customers surveyed said they find loud music and phone calls without headphones a nuisance. We're surprised that figure isn't higher, but presumably the other 30% are the ones so busy listening to their own device without headphones, they can't hear anyone else's.
