TfL Commissioner to leave at the end of October

Transport for London (TfL) has announced transport commissioner Andy Byford will leave the organisation at the end of October.

Andy Byford (left) with London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Byford joined TfL in June 2020 at a time when passenger numbers in London declined dramatically due to the pandemic. During his tenure, he oversaw the opening of the Elizabeth line, helped to negotiate a long-term funding agreement TfL with the UK government, and oversaw the creation of a new organisational structure at TfL.

Byford is a former president of the New York City Transit authority and has revealed plans to return to America at the end of October. Byford said, “It has been a huge privilege to have served as commissioner. I have been blessed to have had such an amazing transport and public service journey and now is the right time to bow out and resume life in the USA with my wife.”

TfL’s current chief operating officer Andy Lord will take on the role of commissioner on an interim basis from 25 October.

Railway Industry Association chief executive Darren Caplan said the departing commissioner had been a “true champion” of the rail supply sector, but added, “Looking ahead, it is clear longer term funding certainty will be essential for the delivery of rail in London.”

Trade union TSSA’s general secretary Manuel Cortes commented, “We really hope that Andy’s departure doesn’t signal further cuts to Transport for London as the long-term funding deal has already left huge holes in its finances.”