Poetry in Transit is back for its 26th year — but this time, with a twist.

Each year, the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC), in partnership with TransLink and BC Transit, produces a collection of poetry cards that feature the works of BC-authored and Canadian-published poets. These cards are then printed and displayed on transit vehicles around BC. While the call for poetry submissions has closed, the call for photos is now open!

Because for the first time, each poem featured will be published with a complementary photo. And who better to look to for the best in transit photography than our favourite transit photographers!

How to submit a photo

Photo submissions will be accepted via Instagram only. To enter you must have a public Instagram account and post your original contest photo with the hashtag #MyTransLinkPhoto to receive one entry into the competition.

Eligible entries must be received by the 11:59:59 PM PT on June 26, 2022.

What’s in it for you?

Each winning photo will be paired with poems selected for the 2022 Poetry in Transit display and will be featured on poetry cards.  The name of the winning photographer will be included as a photo credit, and each winning photographer will receive a $350 honorarium.

For full contest details, check out the TransLink Poetry in Transit Image Challenge – Terms and Conditions. To be eligible for the competition, the entrant must be a resident of BC and be 19 years of age or older.

Need inspiration? Here are some prompts

• Have you ever noticed glitter on the bus?
• What’s the best sky you’ve seen from the SkyTrain?
• Imagine the wildflowers you might see at a bus exchange. Wait, are they already there?
• Do you have any bike photos you’d like to enter in the Poetry in Transit image competition? (Bikes are part of TransLink, too!)
• Do you ever pass a building on the bus that gets you thinking? Send us a photo!
• What’s your favourite colour? Do you have any photos of it on transit?
• Mountains and water: our region is known for them. Send us your photos!
• Do you see any cool trees on your commute?
• Challenge: can you take an abstract photo? We’re curious if we’ll get any in our image competition!
• There’s a few awesome gardens next to SkyTrain stations. Can you find them and enter your photos in our image competition?