Transport for London is to stage a series of events and publications to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Poems on the Underground, including a commemorative event on Friday 30 January at Bank Tube station to officially mark the anniversary. London poets whose work has been shared by the scheme will be invited to attend the celebration, which will also include poetry readings from staff poets and other poetry lovers.

A revised edition of 100 Poems on the Underground is now available for purchase at several retailers, including the London Transport Museum shop and online. The new edition adds pieces by Sappho and Jean Binta Breeze to the poems displayed during the first five years of Poems on the Underground.

A new set of winter Poems on the Underground will be launched on 9 February, including poems by contemporary British poets – ‘Syzygy’ by Rachel Boast, ‘A Short Piece of Choral Music’ by Jonathan Davidson, and ‘Narcissus’ by Blake Morrison. It also features a haiku by Kobayahsi Issa with original calligraphy by Yukki Yaura, and verses by the Romanian poet Mircea Dinescu and the American Jane Hirshfield.

In addition to the new collection, TfL will feature some of the first 100 poems at five selected stations - Aldgate East, Heathrow, Seven Sisters, St John’s Wood, and Westminster.

Justine Simons, London’s deputy mayor for culture and the creative Industries, said: “For the past 40 years, Poems on the Underground have given us moments of reflection, joy, solace and so much more as we make our way through the hustle and bustle of the Tube. Much loved by Londoners as part of the familiar furniture of our city, they are incredibly popular with visitors too. Art and culture are for everyone and Poems on the Underground bring creative inspiration to millions every day, helping us build a better London for everyone.”

Mark Evers, chief customer officer at TfL, said: “For four decades, Poems on the Underground has been a vital part of London’s cultural fabric, turning millions of minutes spent travelling into moments of reflection and joy. As we celebrate this 40th anniversary, we honour the poetry that connects us, and we look forward to sharing more fantastic poems for many years to come.”

Poems on the Underground was the idea of three writers, Judith Chernaik, the late Gerard Benson, and Cicely Herbert. Their aim was to bring poetry to a wider audience. The first book containing all the featured poems was not published until much later, having been initially rejected by Faber as unlikely to prove commercially viable. It was finally published by Cassell, immediately sold out and went straight to reprint prior to publication, and is one the best-selling poetry books of all time.