Andy Byford appointed London’s new Transport Commissioner

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the Board of Transport for London (TfL) have appointed Andy Byford as London’s new Transport Commissioner, following an international recruitment and selection process.

Byford’s most recent role was President and Chief Executive Officer of New York City Transit Authority, where he was responsible for 50,000 staff and devised a $40bn five-year investment plan to renew the city’s transport system.

He will join TfL on 29th June, with the current Commissioner, Mike Brown MVO, staying on until 10th July to hand over to Byford and aid his start in the role before he takes up a position overseeing the renovation of the historic Houses of Parliament.

Byford brings to TfL a track record of leadership and transformation within major urban transport authorities and has worked within a wide range of complex stakeholder and political environments in a transport career that has spanned over 30 years and three continents. As well as his recent leadership role in New York, his previous positions include:

• Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, Canada
• Chief Operating Officer & Deputy CEO, Rail Corporation New South Wales, Australia
• Director of Operations, Southern Railway
• Director of Safety and Operations, South Eastern Trains Limited
• Various roles at London Underground Limited, where he started as a graduate trainee in 1989 before working his way up to General Manager – Customer Service for the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines

Byford takes up the post at a pivotal moment for the organisation and for London as TfL works to help the capital recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and support a safe and sustainable re-start.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted to confirm Andy Byford as London’s new Transport Commissioner. Covid-19 has had a profound impact on public transport in London but Andy brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise to lead TfL as it faces this unprecedented challenge.

“I look forward to working with Andy as we build a greener city with clean and environmentally-friendly travel, including walking and cycling, at the heart of its recovery.

“I would like to place on record my gratitude to Mike Brown for everything he has done for the capital since starting at TfL in 1989. I wish him the best of luck in his new role.”

Andy Byford said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Commissioner and to have been chosen to lead the organisation where I started my transport career over 30 years ago. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, all transport authorities around the world will need to reimagine how their services and projects contribute to the safe and sustainable re-start of the social and economic lives of the cities they serve.

“It is a huge challenge, but I know that Transport for London has some of the best people anywhere in the world and we will meet these challenges and will together help build an even better city for everyone.”

Andy Byford is 54 years old and grew up in Plymouth, Devon. He is married to his Canadian wife, Alison, and is a lifelong supporter of Plymouth Argyle Football club.

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has welcomed the appointment of Andy Byford as the new Commissioner of Transport for London.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said: “The Railway Industry Association and our members would like to congratulate Andy Byford on his appointment as the new Commissioner for Transport for London. He joins at a pivotal moment for TfL and London’s rail network, as the capital’s transport system gets to grip with the fallout of the Coronavirus outbreak, as well as looking to build major new rail infrastructure in the future.

“We urge the new Commissioner to engage early with RIA members and the rail industry, who will be vital in London and the UK’s economic recovery, delivering rail investment plans going forward. We now need strong engagement between TfL and the industry to deliver world-class rail both now and in the years to come.

“Finally, I would also like to thank outgoing Commissioner Mike Brown CVO for all his hard work in the role. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Photo credit: Transport for London

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