TransLink is looking for new musicians to join our historic busker program, which has been providing music and entertainment to customers across the transit system for over 35 years.

The Busker Program first launched during one of the province’s biggest events ever—Expo ’86!

It has since been supporting musicians who perform a variety of instruments and musical styles for riders at 10 of the busiest transit stations across Metro Vancouver.

The long-standing program has featured thousands of artists and serves as an important platform for professional buskers and emerging musicians.

“It’s an absolute joy to once again be part of this wonderful program,” says returning busker Enrico D’Onofrio. “I look forward to continuing to share my musical passion with all cultures in our community.”

Customer Experience

The Busker Program is part of TransLink’s Customer Experience Action Plan, which identified creating a safer and more pleasant travelling atmosphere for customers as one of its priorities.

The program continues to support visual, performing, and written arts that bring vitality and joy to our transit system, by surprising and delighting riders on their daily commutes.

New Busker Program highlights

• Professional music consultant for buskers
• Added locations
• Artist profiling and promotion
• Cash-free tipping options

As part of the Busker Program, artists are issued a two-year license and scheduled to perform at specific locations and times on a rotating basis. Performances are two hours in length. Musicians must be 19 years of age or older to qualify as buskers.

Busker Program details

Successful applicants are required to:

• Submit a criminal record check
• Sign the musician’s license and guidelines
• Pay the annual $75.00 TransLink busker license fee
• Attend the annual busker meeting in December

Potential performers have from October 18 until November 8 to submit a video application.

For full submission details, go to translink.ca/busker.