If you're in London and taking the Rapid Transit - you might notice some new decorations
The City of London will begin installing public art on Rapid Transit bus shelters in spring 2026, starting with 11 shelters along the Downtown Loop and East London Link corridors.
City officials say the initiative is rooted in public feedback gathered during the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment, where residents emphasized the importance of transit shelters that reflect the character, culture and history of their neighbourhoods. As a result, the artwork will feature themes including Indigenous culture, local history, diversity, arts and music, transportation, wellness and education.
The public art program will roll out in stages between 2026 and 2028, coordinated with ongoing Rapid Transit construction. The first phase will focus on shelters along the completed Downtown Loop and the East London Link, which remains under construction until late 2026. Additional installations are planned as shelters are completed along the Wellington Gateway and remaining East London Link locations.
Artists for the initial installations were selected through the City of London and London Arts Council’s existing programs, including the Community Arts Investment Program and the Public Art and Monument Program. Future phases will include additional calls for proposals and expanded opportunities for community input.
The first art panels are already in place at the Ontario Street and King Street shelter. The work, titled Midway Memories by local artist Katie Wilhelm, blends archival imagery from London’s Western Fair District with contemporary brushwork, linking the city’s past with its present-day identity.
During final installation, a crack was identified in one panel of the artwork. City officials say the affected panel will be replaced in the coming weeks and that the issue does not impact safety or the overall installation. The shelter is serving as a pilot site, allowing the project team to test materials and methods ahead of the broader rollout next spring.
