00:01Transport for London has been criticised for having brought only four prosecutions against passengers for loud phone conversations or for playing audio on their devices since 2020.
00:14Now, data revealed by a Freedom of Information request has shown that only three fines worth £705 have been issued in total.
00:23The Liberal Democrats have urged TfL to introduce real consequences for those breaking its bylaws on a nuisance noise, while Reform UK has described it as a dire record of enforcement.
00:36Transport for London has stated that the vast majority of its customers are considerate and that enforcements are considered a last resort.
00:44So, how annoying do Londoners find other passengers playing music or watching films out of their speakers? I took to the streets to find out.
00:57Yeah, I find it a bit annoying because, like, obviously people enjoy their music a certain way or like to do things a certain way.
01:04But if you have headphones, it'll make it easier because then some other people may not really like it. And it's a bit of a bother, to be honest.
01:12Yeah, I think everybody has come across that problem. You don't have to go far to come across it.
01:19Yeah, I think it's a welcome thing. Apparently, they already have bylaws in place that they could use to enforce on the problem.
01:27So, I'm a little sceptical of the impact that this will have.
01:32But I guess it's good to see them trying to publicise it a bit more because I think up until now, that's not really been the case.
01:39I hate it when I'm on a long journey. Someone's on a bus or a train and the whole journey just goes with them talking and talking and talking.
01:49And sometimes I'm just talking about intimate things. And you're thinking, like, wow, I just don't want to hear this.
01:58So, it can be quite annoying.
02:00It is something I've experienced. It's not something I'm particularly irritated by.
02:03I would say, firstly, hearing that, I think that TFL probably has more pressing priorities.
02:12However, if they've decided this is a priority for them, my main thing is I think that there can sometimes be cultural differences that play a role in people speaking out loud on the speakerphone or just the way that people might move on public transit.
02:30Sometimes that can have a lot to do with the culture that you're coming from, and it might not be something that a lot of people recognise as an issue.
02:38Obviously, I get British people like for things to be nice and quiet.
02:41So, yeah, I guess as part of their campaign, I would just want to see like an element of education and like cultural awareness before any sort of punishment or fees or criminalisation is introduced.
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