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Buskers fear TfL will scrap Tube pitches
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent18 Jul 2008
Buskers could disappear from Tube stations because of a change in management, it was claimed today.
Transport for London is to take over the licensed busker scheme from next week to save money after it lost its main sponsor. But performers fear the system will collapse because of a lack of organisation.
Guitarist David O'Connell, 32, said: "There is a real risk every pitch in London will be shut by the end of next week."
The scheme has been run by Automatic Management using online bookings. But TfL has told buskers it will only accept bookings by phone.
Automatic Management's Jerry Smith said: "We thought the scheme would continue. Then on Tuesday we received a call cancelling it."
TfL said the busking scheme needed to be "value for public money".
Reader views (2)
Yes...there does need to be 'more value for money' from musicians performing...I think what this means is that there are a lot of buskers...that are playing the same songs all the time...and when you travel regularly on the tube,you keep seeing them playing the same songs...it feels a bit like 'musical beggars' rather than an entertaining performance...and because London is flooded with new people visiting every day...they can 'get away' with it.
- Simon Hook, London England, 23/08/2008 19:58
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At the very least amplification of buskers' performances should be stopped. Their very load music hurts elderly ears. In any case it is unnecessary in enclosed echoing spaces.
- Richard, London England, 18/07/2008 23:44
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