As Transport for London celebrates its 25th anniversary today, 50 stations across the capital will host birthday announcements from 25 youngsters who are TfL “Superfans”, following a competition that drew entries from hundreds of children.
More than 300 young Londoners aged from five to 16 entered the competition in March, with entrants picking out their favourite mode of TfL transport, including buses, the Tube, as well as the Overground and Croydon Trams, and used their creativity and imagination to describe what it means to them in just 100 words.
According to TfL, “The judges were blown away by the standard of entries, from creative poems to station challenges, and transport-themed bedrooms to birthday parties.
“Many of the young people who shared their love of transport are disabled and spoke about how public transport allows them to explore more of the capital and see their family and friends.”
The judges selected 25 winners, who each recorded an announcement for TfL that will be broadcast at their local station today, as well as one in central London, marking 25 years since TfL was formed.
The announcements wish TfL a “Happy Birthday” and remind people to “Mind the Gap”. The announcements have been playing on the hour since 6am, and will continue until 8pm.
The winners also each have a behind-the-scenes tour of a station or depot of their choice, as well as attending a Superfans event at the London Transport Museum, feature in a Superfans poster that will be displayed across the TfL network, and they receive a goodie bag with TfL 25th anniversary merchandise.
After 67 years of London Transport, Transport for London was created on July 3, 2000, as part of the Greater London Authority by the Greater London Authority Act 1999.
Superfans: the 25 winners of the TfL 25th anniversary competition
“We were completely bowled over by the response to our Superfans competition and would like to thank each and every child for their inspiring entries,” said Transport Commissioner Andy Lord.
“On this milestone anniversary for TfL, with these wonderful messages playing in our stations, it’s a time to reflect on the achievements of the last 25 years, as well as look forward to the future of our transport network – one that we feel sure will be shaped by our Superfans!”
Among the winners was 14-year-old Dylan Hughes from Croydon. Dylan is autistic and his special interest is the London Trams network. His family home has the track nearby and he sits out the back watching the trams go by. Dylan and his family have also been on a “Tram day” where they visited every stop.
Eight-year-old Monroe, from Lower Sydenham, whose favourite thing to do is learn bus routes. His love for buses grew when his mum became a bus driver and he absolutely loves going on her buses. They learn the route together and she teaches Monroe all about the buses from her garage. And Monroe wants to be a bus driver himself when he grows up.
Another trams fan is 10-year-old Fraser from Lewisham. His favourite station is East Croydon due to its many platforms and trams. When he was just seven, Fraser took his visiting grandparents on the London Tram all the way from Beckenham Junction to Wimbledon.
The London Transport Museum, host of the Superfans private event, is also running a series of events over the summer for all children. A theatre production, Transport Explorers: A Live Show starts on July 19, while a series of family activities including storytelling, arts and crafts and workshops will run through the school holidays.
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