𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Transport for London (TfL) has spent more than £72,000 on this autumns ‘Poem’s on the Underground’ installations in Tube carriages, prompting criticism from Assembly Members who say the cash would have been better spent on police officers and reducing fares. The cost, revealed through a Freedom of Information request (FOI), shows London’s transport authorities paid £72,562 for its latest ‘Poems on the Underground’ collection, covering design, production, installation, licensing fees and advertising space.

The collection features works selected by poet Judith Chernaik alongside George Szirtes and Imtiaz Dharker, and focuses on the themes which include Black History Month and Remembrance Day. TfL says it is intended to make journeys “more stimulating and inspiring” by showcasing classical, contemporary and international poetry.

But critics argue that TfL should prioritise its strained finances on other areas. The transport body has faced considerable financial pressures in recent years, and has increased fares as a result.

Conservative Assembly Member, Thomas Turrell, the parties Transport Spokesman gave a poetic response when approached by the Express saying:

“There once was a great waste of money,
That no one thought was quite funny;
They covered the trains in expensive refrains,
Whilst their finances weren’t looking too sunny.”

After his lyrical refrain, he added: “But in all seriousness – this is space which could have been used to generate income and make fares lower at a time when TfL’s finances are tight. Has this really provided value for money?”

Keith Prince, a Reform Assembly Member, said that “whilst a few may glean some meagre pleasure from the Poems on the Underground, the reality is that the money wasted on this scheme would fund an extra police officer on London’s trains.”

He added that the scheme “highlights the complete neglect of our public finances by both Labour and the Tories.”

In their response to the FOI, TfL confirmed that they do not directly pay poets for participation. A spokesperson said that the scheme “was popular with customers since it was first launched almost 40 years ago” and had inspired similar projects in other cities like New York and Shanghai.

They added “A significant proportion of the £70,000 campaign budget is returned to TfL through our advertising contract.”

Once selected, poems are placed in space that could be used for revenue generating adverts.

TfL has been grappling with financial challenges since the Covid-19 pandemic hammered passenger numbers, though ridership has largely recovered.

However, the debate over the scheme comes at a time when Londoner’s are facing rising travel costs, and there have been reports of potential staff job losses in City Hall due to financial pressures.

Poems on the Underground has been a fixture of London transport since 1986, with previous selections featuring works by Seamus Heaney, Carol Ann Duffy, and Derek Walcott amongst others.

Supporters argue the programme enriches London’s cultural life and provides a brief moment of reflection during crowded commutes. However, critics maintain that at a time when every pound counts, TfL should focus on core transport provision rather than cultural initiatives that could be funded through other means.