Young Transport for London (TfL) ‘Superfans’ broadcast birthday messages across London stations to mark the network’s 25th anniversary yesterday.
Out of 300 contestants, 25 children aged five to 16 were selected to announce birthday wishes at their local station from the early morning until 8pm.
Train passengers may have been surprised to hear a young voice announcing “happy birthday” and “mind the gap” on their daily commute in London, broadcast at tube stations, the London Overground, the DLR and even the IFS Cloud Cable Car.
London’s transport commissioner Andy Lord said: “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.
“Staff were moved by the enthusiasm and effort in each entry, whether a poem, a handwritten note or a personal story, and had a very difficult time choosing just 25 winners.”
Hundreds of children entered the competition with a 100-word submission, using their imaginations to write creative entry pieces.
The 25 winners of the TfL Superfans Competition. Photo credit: TfL Press Office.
Many of the young contestants had disabilities, such as competition winner Stamford Bottomley, a TfL Superfan from Edgware.
The 14-year-old won over the judges with a poetic entry articulating that his disability cannot stop him from travelling, such as visits to his nan’s, with special thanks to TfL.
London Underground fanatic Ella, who celebrated her birthday with a Tube-themed party, was among one of the 25 competition winners.
The 13-year-old, who has a Tube-themed phone, wallet and even wardrobe door knobs, had the opportunity to make birthday announcements at her local tube station.
Nine-year-old Libby Rastall, whose room is Elizabeth Line-themed, was also among the chosen contestants to make train station announcements.
The Superfan from Chelmsford, who has memorised the name of every Elizabeth Line station, had the chance to make announcements at the local station of her beloved train line.
Special edition TfL25 roundels installed at 38 locations across TfL’s network. Photo credit: TfL Press Office.
Commuters may have spotted special-edition TfL roundels installed at 38 locations across the network, including Battersea Power Station, Gospel Oak, and Greenwich Peninsula.
The initiative is part of a year-long celebration for TfL’s milestone anniversary, which also extended to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the London Transport Museum for the winners.
Anniversary celebrations kicked off in January with a lineup of buskers at Liverpool Street station and a poster collection highlighting milestones such as the contactless Oyster card and the Night Tube.
Festivities will continue into the summer as the London Transport Museum will host a series of events for all children, such as the new theatre production Transport Explorers, premiering on 19 July
Arts and crafts, and a number of workshops will also be available on multiple dates over the school holidays.
Feature image: Superfan Gia Bhangal at her bus garage visit (Credit: TfL Press Office)
