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Musicians stage protest over rules that could drive them off the Tube
Katharine Barney, City Hall Reporter05.11.09
Tube musicians took part in a mass busk outside City Hall in protest at what they call draconian new measures.
The 250 performers who play across the network say many are being forced to quit.
Buskers are angry at being banned by Transport for London from selling CDs or handing out business cards which gave them extra earnings.
They are also objecting to new guidelines on noise and a higher-rate phone number to book their pitches.
The buskers say TfL has banned them from performing if they have not pre-booked, when it was previously accepted that they could play in a spot if no one was there 20 minutes after a two-hour slot began.
They claim problems began this year when TfL took over management from a private contractor.
Michael Ball, 47, who has been busking for 25 years and plays in West End Tube stations, said the changes would drive away talent. “It's cretinous and makes me despair.
“Previously we just rang a standard rate number once a week and booked our slots. Now we have to call an 0845 number and every time no one answers we get a message which costs 40p. The whole process ends up costing about £20 a week.
“They won't even meet us to discuss our concerns. Previously we had quarterly meetings. This is just incredibly bad management.”
Mr Ball, from Waterloo, organised the protest outside City Hall and met Labour Assembly member Val Shawcross to ask for her help.
Ms Shawcross said: “Buskers are popular and really cheer up the Underground. We want to support these musicians and ensure that they and London Underground are working together well. I hope that an agreement can be reached.”
The London Underground busking scheme was set up in 2003 to manage what was previously an illegal and unregulated activity.
A TfL spokeswoman said selling CDs had never been allowed under the conditions of a busker's licence.
She said: “We have moved busking from an illegal and completely unregulated activity to a managed scheme that we know is very popular with our customers. Buskers can use a dedicated phone line to book their pitches or discuss issues with our team and they are sent a weekly newsletter."
Reader views (3)
Well Gez, I am a registered self employed musician. I am liable to pay tax; as are the great majority of buskers.
Do YOU pay Tax Gez? 
Oh yes! I wish wish wish *they* would ban busking again! I made 10 times as much when it was illegal!
Can you please help to make it illegal again? You would do us a great favour - thanks mate!
- Jim, London - UK
Ban buskers entirely! Do they pay tax?
- Gez, Stonecot Hill
Taking the tube is a difficult enough experience (at best), so we really don't need the sonic harassment of loud music performances, which comes on top of the sonic harssement of periodic Tube announcements over bad speakers. Silence is golden, remember!
- Chaz, London, UK
