Another blow to Sadiq Khan as Transport for London boss Andy Byford quits his job at £355,000 a year, with one in four weekday passengers yet to return to Tube after Covid
- Transport Commissioner Andy Byford to step down from post at the end of October
- After two years at the helm of TfL, Mr Byford returns to the US with his wife
- TfL’s chief operating officer Andy Lord becomes interim commissioner
- It leaves Mr Khan looking for a new commissioner at a troubling time for TfL
In a new blow to Sadiq KhanTransport for London boss Andy Byford has quit his £355,000-a-year role.
Mr Byford will leave the cramped organization at the end of October after two years at the helm, it was announced today.
He will “return to life in the United States” with his Canadian-born wife, ending a 33-year career.
TfLAndy Lord, Chief Operating Officer, will take on the role of Mr Byford on an interim basis, but Mr Khan will have to look for a new Commissioner at a time when one in four weekday passengers has yet to return to the Tube.
The transport commissioner said he would leave after meeting his key goals of opening the Elizabeth line with more delays and leading TfL out of the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In another blow to Sadiq Khan, Andy Byford, the boss of Transport for London (pictured left), has resigned from his £355,000-a-year role
Mr Byford, who was previously the boss of the New York City Subway, said: “It was a tremendous privilege to have served as a commissioner, where I first started as a station foreman.
“I am blessed to have had such an amazing journey in transportation and public service, and now is the right time to stop and resume life in the US with my wife.”
Mr Byford, who became Commissioner for Transport in June 2020, described the opening of the Elizabeth line in May as ‘without doubt the pinnacle of my career’.
It was “made really poignant” because it was one of the last major events the Queen attended, he said.
When the first train left on time, Mr Khan and Mr Byford were seen celebrating with a hug.
“It was an honor to meet her, and an honor to oversee transportation arrangements for the ceremonial events to mark her death.”
Mr Byford described the opening of the Elizabeth Line in May as “without a doubt the pinnacle of my career” and said it was “really poignant” as it was one of the last major events to be attended by the Queen
Mr Byford helped TfL secure a £1.2bn long-term financing package from the Department for Transport (DfT) in August.
He said this means he can “go with TfL set honestly to go into the future positively.”
The agreement was only reached after months of tough negotiations between TfL and the DfT.
After the deal was announced, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was “far from ideal” and warned that TfL has a funding shortfall of £740 million in its budget, with rate increases and service cuts under consideration alongside efficiency savings.
TfL is also facing new strikes at Tube over 600 station positions cut and £100m cut from the staff pension scheme, as well as bus strikes over wage disputes.
Siân Berry, chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, was concerned and said that despite suggestions that Mr Byford’s departure was planned, they were “surprised and shocked” by the announcement.
When the first train left on time, Mr Khan and Mr Byford saw the celebration with a hug
She said: “Our main concern now is that this unexpected change will not derail the recovery of London’s public transport network,” she said. Evening Standard reported.
Mr Byford said he “greatly appreciated the mayor’s support”, adding that they have “navigated some dark days through the most difficult period in TfL history”.
Mr Khan said the outgoing Commissioner “deserves great thanks for his hard work and dedication”.
He continued: ‘Andy has provided Londoners with exceptional service and his work has ensured that despite the challenges we have faced, our public transport network remains world class.’
He added: ‘I would like to thank Andy Byford for his service to Londoners and, as he and his wife move back to the United States, I wish them all the best’.