TransLink reverses Poetry in Transit cancellation after petition pressure
Almost 2,000 supporters signed a petition against the program's axing; Books BC manages and funds the initiative while TransLink contributes ad space.
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TransLink is continuing Poetry in Transit, reversing a cancellation decision made just days earlier. The reversal came after an online petition drew almost 2,000 signatures and media coverage highlighted how much the program means to riders.
"We've seen through the response from community members just how much Poetry in Transit means to people and the important role it has played in connecting them with arts and culture for 30 years," a TransLink spokesperson said Saturday. "We're pleased to be able to continue showcasing B.C. poetry within our current advertising space availability."
Books B.C. runs and fully funds the program—selecting poets, printing poem cards, and managing the selection process. TransLink's contribution is $265,000 in in-kind advertising space on buses and shelters; the transit authority spends no cash on it. Advertising company Pattison Outdoor Advertising, which won the ad rights contract in 2025, made the original cancellation decision, but the reversal came after public outcry.
The program has run since 1996, when poet Sandy Shreve pitched the idea to then-B.C. Transit CEO Mike O'Conner, inspired by poetry programs in New York subways and London's Underground. Vancouver became the first Canadian city with poems on transit. Shreve died in February 2026.
Books B.C. had been informed that TransLink would be unable to secure continued funding after 2027, but the reversal means the program continues for now.
The facts
How many people signed the petition against Poetry in Transit's cancellation?
Almost 2,000 supporters signed an online petition opposing the program's cancellation.
How long has Poetry in Transit been running?
Poetry in Transit has run for 30 years and was established in 1996, making Vancouver the first Canadian city with poems on transit.
Who funds and manages Poetry in Transit?
Books B.C. runs and fully funds the program, selecting poets, printing poem cards, and managing the selection process. TransLink contributes $265,000 in in-kind advertising space on buses and shelters but no cash funding.
Who made the original decision to cancel Poetry in Transit?
Advertising company Pattison Outdoor Advertising, which won the ad rights contract in 2025, made the original cancellation decision.
