TfL at 25: 'Busking changed my life'

Buskers are filling Liverpool Street station with the sound of music to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Transport for London (TfL).

A series of special events is running to celebrate the milestone, including performances by 25 buskers playing well-known songs and their own works from the past quarter of a decade throughout the day at the station.

Among them is Susana Silva, a singer-songwriter who came to the UK in 2008 and said music changed her life after she was introduced to busking by chance.

"That's when I found music is not just music, it's more than that," she said.

When Ms Silva suddenly became homeless she said she didn't want to bother her parents for money so "stayed under Waterloo Bridge", trying to sing to get money for food and drink.

"The next day a street performer came to me with a broken guitar, two strings, and said 'do something for your life'," she said.

Ms Silva added: "I managed to change my idea about music because of the song I managed to play, Hit The Road Jack. Jack was not a person; Jack was my problems and my humiliations.

"The more I sang 'get away from my life' the more I felt free and my voice just started being more assertive."

Now Ms Silva performs all over London and is expecting her second child, but said her busking journey was also affected by her experience of depression.

"I never ask people for money, I ask them to write in my power book.

"People that I never met, what they wrote changed my life," she said, adding their words inspired her to write her own song called "Thank You".

She stressed that for those hearing her music or experiencing busking, "I hope it gives them hope and a way out".

"There's lots of things you can do in life - just staying still and waiting for opportunities to come along, they won't come.

"But when you move, when you start walking towards them... things happen."

Natalie Russo, a violinist who plays classical covers and folk music and has travelled all over the UK to perform, was also among those busking at Liverpool Street station.

"Busking on TfL is a wonderful activity.

"You get to, if you want to, see lots of people... and you have a nice exchange," she explained.

"Busking is such a direct activity and such a direct way to make music.

"It's that directness which is my favourite way of making art."

Peter Thomas, who has been busking for more than 20 years, said: "It can be the best job in the world.

"That sensation of touching someone with your music or affecting someone in a positive way with your music, it's unparalleled."

Mr Thomas continued by saying if people were curious about busking they should apply to get a licence and "be bold. Fortune favours the brave."

Performing is a vital part of his life, he added.

"It's kind of like your blood... music is your emotional blood."

Between 1933 and 2000 TfL was known as London Transport but officially came into being under its current name as part of the Greater London Authority, and a busking scheme was introduced in 2003.

There have been many changes to TfL over the past 25 years but some notable ones include 200 stations becoming step-free to increase accessibility, the creation of the Elizabeth line, and the introduction of the world's first 24-hour low emission zone.

Some even feature on a series of posters which can be bought from the London Transport Museum.

Elizabeth McKay from the museum said there would be a series of special events throughout 2025 to celebrate and explore the past, present and future of transport in London.

"Look out for fun family activities at the museum in Covent Garden, the chance to explore behind the scenes at our museum depot in Acton this spring and a brand-new photography exhibition for our visitors to enjoy, with more to follow later in the year," she said.

As part of the celebrations, members of the public are also invited to share their photos and special memories involving TfL from the past 25 years.

Those wishing to submit a memory can email [email protected].

On Saturday there will even be a treasure hunt starting at Stratford station to mark the Jubilee line extension and the growth of the service from the West End to the Docklands.

TfL is also using the anniversary to outline future developments it is aiming to achieve.

Andy Lord, London's transport commissioner, said: "Among the things we'll be working on this year are the introduction of new DLR and Piccadilly line trains, and the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, which will happen alongside our important work to make the network as inclusive and accessible as possible."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]