A PROGRAMME of art on London's underground rail system has won global acclaim, gaining an international award for culture on public transport. Tourists from across the globe that visit London inevitably use the Tube network, therefore this artwork will make travel that little bit more pleasant.

The award recognises the positive impact that colour and design can have on passengers' journeys and pays tribute to the world-class work that Art on the Underground brings to travellers. To win, London beat 11 other countries including France, Germany, Portugal and Argentina.

The Cultural Actions Award was presented to Tamsin Dillon, head of Art of the Underground, by Alain Flausch, president of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) at the 58th UITP World Congress event in Vienna, Austria.

The aim of the award is to promote cultural best practice on public transport, helping to make travelling more interesting and enjoyable for passengers.

Art on the Underground impressed the judges with the outstanding quality of contemporary commissions that surprise and delight the millions of travellers that use the London Tube every day.

The panel said they especially liked the way in which the artists who take part in the scheme not only build on London Underground's heritage of art and design but also are encouraged to collaborate with staff and members of local communities at all stages of their projects.

Tamsin Dillon, head of Art on the Underground, said: "It's fantastic that our work is recognised internationally and shows that London is leading the way. Winning this award proves that contemporary world-class art can really make a difference to our passengers' experience of the Tube. The London Underground is a unique environment with a very special audience and our artworks should reflect this by connecting with our passengers."

Richard Parry, managing director of London Underground, said: "Art on the Underground is central to London Underground's identity which has had art and design at its heart for 80 years,when Frank Pick established the concept of total design as the unifying principle of the network. [Pick was publicity manager for London Transport from 1907; in the 1930s he became its chief executive]. Everyone at London Underground is very proud of our art programme and I am delighted that we have achieved this prestigious award."

Its recent art projects include:

* giving away 60,000 free prints of a new work by Richard Long to commuters during morning rush-hour;

* artist David Blandy transforming young people into superheroes for photographic and comic strip portraits on display in Charing Cross and Embankment stations;

* a group exhibition in Piccadilly Circus that ruminates on the nature of pop culture and advertising;

* an exclusive set of badges featuring the work of painter Peter McDonald, available to members of the public who strike up conversations with staff at Southwark Station.