Minister fears swearing increase on trains if sticker warnings placed on seats

More swearing on trains could be encouraged by stickers on seats advising passengers to stop using bad language, according to a transport minister.

Conservative frontbencher Trudy Harrison raised fears of “unintended consequences” caused by the proposal to clamp down on anti-social behaviour on the rails.

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Speaking at transport questions, Conservative MP Nick Fletcher (Don Valley) asked the minister: “If her department has had any more thoughts about placing a simple sticker on the back of each train seat advertising the British Transport Police text number so that passengers can summon help if required, but that also asks for people to refrain from using bad language?”

Ms Harrison replied: “Of course, I agree with my honourable friend that anti-social behaviour on public transport is a blight.

“However, I suspect that there may be some unintended consequences from some on-train requests, such as it possibly actually encouraging more swearing and passenger confrontations.

“I agree that we should look at doing more in this area and a solution using positive messaging to promote considerate behaviour could certainly be an option.”

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