New data shows the leading cause for complaints to TfL in the past six months with smoking listed as the second most common cause of issues for passengers.

In a FOI request submitted by Alternix, the data shows that between August 2024 and January 2025 there were a total of 191 complaints made to TfL by passengers.

The analysis of data shows that the leading cause for complaints were:

Passenger behaviour – including inappropriate, rude or threatening behaviour (64.4%)
Smoking (9.4%)
Driver/ staff conduct – including customer service complaints (7.9%)
Service and delays (5.8%)
Cleanliness and environment (4.2%)
Experts from Alternix collected the data in a bid to warn smokers and vapers to act responsibly around their fellow passengers.

Smoking or using an electronic cigarette on TfL buses, trams and trains, in bus and rail stations and on tram platforms, is a breach of TfL’s conditions of carriage.

Last year TfL also reiterated their stance on smoking and vaping in taxis and private hire vehicles with passengers and drivers warned with a £50 fixed penalty notice or even a £200 court fine if caught.

Speaking on the findings David Phillips from Alternix said “It’s important that smokers and vapers are aware of the rules when using public transport and it’s clear from the findings that smoking is still a big cause for complaint among passengers. For some, finding an alternative like nicotine pouches may be a great solution to curbing nicotine cravings while on the daily commute or when out and about.”