PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Cesar Soriano has been announced the winner of Islington Council's photo competition to promote the use of public transport.
Mr Soriano, 35, of Upper Street, N1 won the competition after his nighttime picture of a 38 bus was voted the best in a public vote. A shortlist of eight photographs was displayed at Islington's N1 shopping centre last week (13-17 November).
In September, people were asked to send in photos representing what they like about public transport.
More than half of Islington's residents travel to work by public transport and this number is expected to grow as the public transport network improves in the run up to the London Olympics in 2012.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for Environment, Islington Council will present the prize - a top of the range Canon EOS 30D camera - at a prize giving ceremony at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street at 3pm on Wednesday 22 November.
Cllr Watt commented: "It's a great picture and is typical of the very high standard we received from photographers across the borough.
"The competition was designed to raise the profile of public transport in the borough. We want more people to consider leaving their cars at home and jumping on the bus to go to the shops, or taking the tube to visit a friend.
It is up to all of us to make Islington a greener place."
Competition winner Cesar Soriano who works as a freelance journalist said: "I was absolutely gobsmacked to learn I had won the photo contest. I've never won anything before and I'm by no means a professional photographer.
"My photo of the No. 38 Routemaster bus was taken on the last night that the Routemaster bus was running before it was retired. It was the bus I took to work everyday for nearly two years. I was quite sad to see the Routemaster go as it was truly a British icon.
"My wife and I are big fans of public transport. We don't own a car so we depend on the bus and Tube to get around. Londoners love to complain about the city's public transportation system but coming from America where most people need cars to get around you appreciate how great the network here really is."
All eight finalists will receive a pre-charged Oyster Card.
For more information go to www.islington.gov.uk/greentravel
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Photo competition prizegiving
3pm, Wednesday 22 November
Islington Town Hall
Upper Street
Islington
N1 2UD
Presentation by: Cllr Lucy Watt
ENDS
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008