Transport for London has announced that, following his 33-year career in public service, Andy Byford will leave, returning to his life in the United States
London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford's career has seen an array of successes and has delivered on a number of priorities such as getting the Elizabeth line open without any further delay and leading Transport for London out of the financial crisis created by the pandemic.
Byford is set to leave his position at the end of October with current Chief Operating Officer Andy Lord set to take on the Commissioner role on an interim basis.
Byford began his tenure as Transport Commissioner in June 2020 and has been thoroughly dedicated to his work, especially in leading Transport for London back from the financial upheaval caused by the pandemic with a key focus on supporting the recovery of London. A vital part of the recovery plan was the opening of the Elizabeth line which was directly under his personal control and was opened by Her Majesty the Queen on the 24th of May to worldwide acclaim.
The next phase of the Elizabeth line project is now confirmed and will see trains operating directly from Reading and Heathrow to Abbey Wood and from Shenfield to Paddington from the 6th of November. This next stage marks further progress for London's transport network with Bond Street Elizabeth line station forming a flagship for the West End's transportation and is set to open ahead of the above date.
A further focus that Byford undertook in his position as commissioner was to ensure a long-term funding agreement with the Government which allows Transport for London to recover whilst providing employees, suppliers and stakeholders in both London and Transport for London's supply chain which extends throughout the country, certainty. Transport for London has secured approximately £6 billion of Government funding during extremely difficult economic times. In the latest agreement with the Government and a further facility from the Greater London Authority means that Transport for London can balance its budget and head out of a period of threatened managed decline and into positively delivering for London.
Byford has also been responsible for the creation of a new and more efficient internal structure for Transport for London, bringing in a new vision, new values, a focus on getting customers to return, supporting the city's economic recovery and supporting the building of a greener city with sustainable transport.
The last two weeks have seen Byford oversee the delivery of transport plans which have supported the events marking the death of Her Majesty the Queen. With a massive influx of people to London wanting to pay respects to Her Majesty, Transport for London came under a substantial operational challenge which saw a massive coordinated effort involving thousands of staff members working throughout the day and night to allow the public to travel safely.
Before Byford took his role as commissioner, he was President of New York City Transit and following his impressive work with Transport for London is returning to the United States following his career which has spanned 33 years over three continents.
Andy Lord who will be taking on the role of interim commissioner joined Transport for London back in November 2019 as Managing Director of London Underground and in early 2022 became Chief Operating Officer for all of Transport for London's operations. Lord's position as Chief Operating Officer saw him take on the responsibility of the safe, reliable and effective running of Transport for London's entire rail services including London Underground, the Elizabeth line, London's strategic road network, bus services, cycle hire, river services, London Cable Car and trams.
During Lord's tenure as Managing Director of London Underground, he led the network operational response to the pandemic and enabled London Underground and other Transport for London services to operate for key workers. Lord has also been responsible for the safe and reliable introduction of Elizabeth line services, the Northern line extension, the upgraded Bank station, the extension of London Overground to Barking Riverside, and the completion of the automation of the Circle line. On moving into the position of Transport for London's Chief Operating Officer, Lord continued his impressive work leading the operational transport response for major events across the city, most notable of which was The Platinum Jubilee and the ceremonial events marking the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
Andy Byford, London's Transport Commissioner, 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.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Andy Byford deserves huge thanks for his hard work and dedication, leading Transport for London through an exceptional time in its history.
“From keeping the city moving during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the historic opening of the Elizabeth line this year, Andy has provided Londoners with an exceptional service and his work has ensured that despite the challenges we have faced, our public transport network remains world-class.
“I'm grateful to Andy Lord for stepping into the role of interim Transport Commissioner. Andy brings with him a wealth of experience and commitment to leading our city's public transport network, and the recruitment for the new permanent Commissioner will commence shortly.
“I want 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 very best.”
Andy Lord said: “The work of TfL staff has been key to London's recovery from the pandemic so far. I am hugely honoured to take on this role and to have the opportunity to steer the organisation as it continues this work and focuses on making our city an even greener, safer and better place.”
Following the announcement that TfL Commissioner Andy Byford will be leaving next month, RIA Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “I am sorry to learn that Andy Byford is set to leave TfL later this year. As Commissioner he has been a true champion of the rail supply sector and, on behalf of our members, I'd like to wish him all the very best for the future.
“I'd also like to welcome the current Chief Operating Officer Andy Lord to his post as Interim Commissioner – we and rail suppliers look forward to working closely with him in the coming months.
“Looking ahead, it is clear longer-term funding certainty will be essential for the delivery of rail in London. With changes now in both Government Ministers and the TfL Commissioner, RIA and our members continue to call for funding deals similar in length to the five-year Control Period settlements used for the national railway. This would enable the rail supply sector to deliver work which maximises value for money for fare and tax payers in London.
“Whilst TfL's current 20-month funding deal is better than what went before, lack of longer-term certainty simply puts rail supply members in limbo and makes it harder for them to renew, enhance and build world-class rail infrastructure in the capital as cost effectively and efficiently as they could.”
