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Majority Back £20 Fines For Rude Passengers Who Put Feet On Seats
A majority of Britons support introducing fines of up to £20 for inconsiderate commuters who put their feet on train seats.
A recent survey found that resting shoes on seats and leaving rubbish behind are the most disliked behaviors among passengers.
The research, carried out by Japanese rail travel firm JRPass, questioned 1,000 people across the UK about the habits that annoy them most during their daily commute.
Other actions widely viewed as poor etiquette include applying makeup and drinking alcohol on trains, both of which were cited as particularly irritating.
An overwhelming 74% of respondents said leaving litter on public transport is never acceptable. However, despite this strong feeling, 33% admitted they have done it themselves, with 10% confessing they do so frequently.
The strength of feeling is such that 75% believe littering should result in a fine, with most suggesting a penalty of between £11 and £20.
Putting feet on seats ranked close behind as a major annoyance, with 70% of commuters condemning the practice. Around 58% think offenders should also face fines in the £11–£20 range, even though 11% admitted they regularly do it themselves.
Standing in doorways when there is space elsewhere in the carriage frustrated 68% of passengers, despite 38% acknowledging they are guilty of this behavior. Similarly, 66% said occupying seats with bags while others are standing is unacceptable, yet 41% admitted they often do it.
Playing music or videos out loud without headphones annoyed 61% of those surveyed. Nearly half (46%) said they had done this at some point, and 49% felt repeat offenders should be fined between £11 and £20.
Other commonly criticised behaviors included talking loudly on the phone, having noisy conversations, and eating hot or strongly scented food. Drinking alcohol bothered 46% of commuters, while 23% said they were irritated by people applying makeup.
Although penalty fares are already widely issued for fare evasion across the UK, the research suggests growing concern among passengers about standards of behavior on board.
Haroun Khan, founder of JRPass, said that in countries such as Japan, a strong culture of mutual respect helps keep train travel calm and pleasant.
He added that the results indicate UK commuters want clearer expectations around etiquette, and many would support enforcement when these unwritten rules are repeatedly ignored.
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