London’s Transport Commissioner to leave

London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford, will be leaving TfL to resume life in the United States.

Andy Byford

The news comes after TfL last month secured long-term funding to March 2024. Leading the capital’s transport authority out of the financial crisis caused by the pandemic was one of Andy Byford’s priorities he set at the start of his tenure. Another priority was to get the Elizabeth line opened without any further delay.

Byford will leave TfL at the end of October, closing out a 33 year public service career, with current Chief Operating Officer Andy Lord taking on the role of Commissioner on an interim basis.

Byford, who became Transport Commissioner in June 2020, oversaw the creation of a new organisational structure at TfL, intended to be more efficient, as well as the introduction of a new vision and set of values for the organisation. The transport authority is now focussed on winning back customers, supporting the city’s economic recovery and helping to build a greener city with sustainable transport at its centre.

Over the last couple of weeks, Byford has also overseen the delivery of transport plans to support the events marking the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

Andy Lord became Chief Operating Officer for all of TfL’s operations earlier this year.

“With a longer-term financial settlement with Government now in place I can now leave with TfL set fair to move positively into the future” – Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner 

Andy Byford said: “When I came to TfL I set two clear priorities – to get the Elizabeth line open without further delay and to lead TfL out of the pandemic and into a financially sustainable future. The opening of the Elizabeth line was, without doubt, the highlight of my career – made truly poignant as it was one of the last major events attended by Her Majesty the Queen. It was an honour to meet her, and an honour to oversee the transport arrangements for the ceremonial events to mark her passing.

“With a longer-term financial settlement with Government now in place I can now leave with TfL set fair to move positively into the future – supporting London’s recovery from the pandemic and truly becoming the green heartbeat of the city.

“It has been a huge privilege to have served as Commissioner, back where I first started as a Station Foreman. 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 U.S with my wife. I have hugely appreciated the support of the Mayor and of two outstanding Deputy Mayors. Together we have navigated some dark days through the toughest period in TfL’s history, always seeking to look after our colleagues and our customers as we steered TfL towards a brighter future.

“None of this would have been possible without the dedication and brilliance of the TfL leadership team, including Andy Lord who will now take up the mantle of interim Commissioner. Any success we have had, I dedicate to the thousands of transport professionals who set out every day to provide excellent service, to keep London moving, and to build a better transport network and a better city for this generation and for all yet to come.”