Transport for London (TfL) is urging passengers to wear headphones when listening to music, watching TV shows or making phone calls on public transport, following widespread complaints about noisy content disrupting journeys.
A new poster campaign has been unveiled across the Elizabeth line this week and will roll out to the Tube, London Overground, DLR, buses and trams from October. The campaign asks customers to “plug in” when using devices, in a bid to curb the number of people playing audio out loud in crowded carriages.
TfL said the move follows research with 1,000 passengers, 70 per cent of whom reported that loud music and mobile phone conversations were one of the most common nuisances on the network.
Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, said: “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 initiative coincides with the gradual rollout of 4G and 5G connectivity across the Underground, which is making it easier for passengers to stream content and make calls while travelling. TfL is also using the campaign to encourage people to “look up” from their devices periodically, to check if someone nearby needs a seat.
The growing availability of high-speed internet on public transport is expected to increase streaming and calling activity in the years ahead. With airlines also expanding in-flight Wi-Fi, TfL’s campaign may offer a glimpse of similar etiquette drives beyond London’s transport network.