Wednesday, 12 February 2025
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Former New York transit chief becomes London Transport Commissioner

An international search for London’s new Transport Commissioner has seen the appointment of a former leader of New York’s transit policy Andy Byford.

Byford has been at the helm of New York’s City Transit Authority, where he was President and CEO, in charge of a 50,000 strong staff network and the distribution of a five-year $40 billion investment plan.

Further to heading up New York’s transit, Byford has also managed Toronto’s Transit Commission, has been the Director of Operations at Southern Railway and Deputy CEO of the Rail Corporation of News South Wales, Australia.

He will now join Transport for London from June 29th, with current Commissioner, Mike Brown MVO, staying on until 10th July to hand over to Byford and aid his start in the role.

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 of his new role as Transport Commissioner: “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.”

Byford inherits a city that is steadily warming to active travel means, even prior to the Covid-19 crisis.