In Canada, Buskers Do the Locomotion
In America, Amtrak offers a writer-in-residence program to train-loving scribes. Just to the north, VIA Rail Canada provides a similar opportunity for musicmakers. The “Artists on Board” initiative lets musicians ride pretty much free in exchange for live performances.
As advertised on the railway company’s website, Artists on Board offers “complimentary or reduced fare travel for approved professional musicians in return for performing on board the Montreal-Halifax and/or Toronto-Vancouver trains.” The deal is available to solo performers or duets and is open to Canadian citizens only. In somewhat sterile language, the company adds: “Assessment is based on relevance to our product and passengers.”
The schedule: one musical act per trip, performing two or three times for about 45 minutes.
More: In Canada, Buskers Do the Locomotion : The Protojournalist : NPR