Taxi drivers in the Maldives are prohibited from playing music or any other audio equipment in their vehicles without the consent of their passengers [2]. Similarly, buses and taxis in Guyana are prohibited from playing music, or allowing passengers to play music, while in service or parked in a public space, and may be fined anything between $7,500 and $15,000, or be imprisoned for six months for contravention of this regulation [7]. Music systems are also banned in taxis in Himachal Pradesh, India. In the West Midlands, England, authorities intend to pass by-laws to prohibit the playing of loud music on buses, with fines of up to GBP3,000 for contravention [5]. Typical Minibus Taxi in Cape Town, South Africa (Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202107240131.html)
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General Overview
Type of stakeholder
EICS Framework
Region of Reference
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
- North-America
- South-America
- World
Description
This intervention refers to the introduction of a requirement that all inner-city public and informal paratransit vehicles may not be equipped with radios or other amplified audio equipment.
This is because these have the potential to prevent the driver, surveillance operators, other passengers, or passers-by from hearing a distressed passenger calling out for assistance.
Facts/Illustrations/Case studies
Types of Impact
Area Impacted
- To/from the stop/station/rank✕
- Waiting for train/bus/paratransit✕
- In the vehicle✓
- At interchanges✕
Time of Day of Impact
- Day-time travel✓
- Night-time travel✓
- Peak-time travel✓
- Off peak-time travel✓
Mode Impacted
- Bus✓
- Train✓
- Rideshare✓
- 4 wheelers informal✓
- 3 wheelers informal✓
- 2 wheelers informal✓
- Cycling✕
- Walking✕
Demographic impacted
- Girls✓
- Boys✓
- Adult Women✓
- Men✓
- Elderly Women✓
- LGBTQI+✓
Resources
SWOT Analysis
Ensures that distressed passengers calling for help can be heard by other vehicle occupants, command and control centre operators (if vehicle equipped with surveillance technology), and passers-by
Some passengers may object to the lack of music or entertainment or prefer vehicles that do not comply
Reduces cost of vehicle
Improves driver's ability to concentrate
Operators may not be willing to remove audio equipment
Effectiveness
The bulk of literature concerning music on public transport and imposed restrictions related to driver distraction and nuisance to other passengers, rather than the possibility that victims of sexual harassment aboard such vehicles may not be heard. However, it is noted that nuisance behaviour on public transport vehicles, including the playing of music with violent lyrics, can undermine passengers’ sense of security [5].
- Perception by (female) passengers
- Perception by governing bodies
- Level of confidence in these ratings
Implementation
This requirement can be introduced with immediate effect – the benefit remains so long as the requirement remains in place.
Implementation timeframe
- 0-1 year✓
- 1-3 years✕
- >3 years✕
Timeframe to realise benefits
- 0-1 year✓
- 1-3 years✕
- >3 years✕
Scale of Implementation
This intervention can be implemented from the city level up.
Suburb
Ease of Implementation
Audio equipment can be removed or disabled with ease.
List of References
Africa
1. https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre%20Assets/CCT-Traffic-bylaw-Draft.pdf
Asia
3. http://www.himachaltaxi.com/music-systems-banned-in-taxis-in-himachal-pradesh.html
Europe
South America
7. https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2008/08/08/music-banned-from-minibus-taxis/