Passengers who play loud music on buses and trains could face £100 fines.
As part of a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour, fines could be issued for offences such as littering, vaping, or playing music out loud without headphones.
The move comes as part of new powers granted to local authorities earlier this year, allowing them to set and enforce their own rules on bus networks.
A nationwide campaign is also being launched to remind train passengers to use headphones, with those who refuse facing fines of up to £1,000.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone.
"It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey.
"So, we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains."
He added: "It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us."
The new guidance, published by the Department for Transport today (October 19), outlines how the legislation can be applied.
Rules must be approved by the Transport Secretary and will be enforced by specialist transport safety officers, not bus drivers.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "It is so frustrating when the actions of an inconsiderate few spoil journeys for the rest of us, whether that is vaping, littering or blasting music out loud.
"Even small changes in behaviour can make a massive difference to people’s experience on public transport."
The anti-social use of public transport has become a growing concern, with calls from the Liberal Democrats for tougher action against so-called "headphone dodgers" dating back to last year.
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Ben Plowden, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, welcomed the move.
He said: "If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride."
However, some believe the measures do not go far enough to tackle the wider issues facing transport workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The proposed penalties are not going to deal with the issues facing workers.
"Our members are demanding and deserve protections at work that these proposals do not address."
Others argue that enforcement will be key to the success of the new rules.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Olly Glover said: "I’ve repeatedly pushed ministers to take the scourge of antisocial behaviour on our public transport seriously, but this latest response barely scratches the surface.
"Commuters deserve to travel in peace and quiet.
"We want a £1,000 fine to hit repeat offenders where it hurts and make it crystal clear this behaviour won’t be tolerated.
"Tough talk means nothing without enforcement.
"Unless the Government funds transport safety officers on the ground, these new rules won’t be worth the paper they’re printed on."
Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said: "Finally, Labour are finally catching up with the Conservatives on issues passengers really care about.
"After we led the charge against antisocial behaviour on public transport last summer, ministers have worked out that nobody wants to endure pounding techno or blaring hip hop on a packed train or bus.
"But passengers and railway staff face far more serious problems.
"Assaults against rail staff have risen by 68%, while prosecutions have slumped under Labour.
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"It’s time for Andy Burnham to get serious about enforcement, tackling violence and protecting those who work on our railways."
Passport change coming to UK airports
The news follows the government's change to passport eGates at some major UK airports.
Millions of passengers could soon be able to quickly pass through airport passport control without needing to put their passports into an eGate.
UK airports are rolling out a new contactless system designed to speed up arrivals while maintaining existing border security checks.
The phased rollout began at East Midlands Airport on October 6, initially for British citizens, with the technology expected to be introduced at all UK airports with eGates by early 2027.
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