Byford will take up his new role with TfL on June 29 where he will succeed Mr Mike Brown, who will stay on until July 10 to aid the transition. Brown will then move to his new position overseeing the renovation of London’s historic Houses of Parliament.

Byford was president and CEO of New York City Transit (NYCT) until he resigned unexpectedly on January 23, two years after his appointment. During his tenure at NYCT, Byford was responsible for 50,000 staff and devised a $US 40bn five-year investment plan to renew the city’s transport system.

Byford has almost gone full circle after he started his career as a graduate trainee with London Underground in 1989 before working his way up to general manager, customer service for the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines. Byford then switched to mainline railways to become director of safety and operations with South Eastern Trains followed by director of operations with Southern Railway.

Byford then moved to Australia to take on the role of COO and deputy CEO with New South Wales Rail Corporation, before transferring to Canada to become CEO of Toronto Transit Commission, prior to his appointment with NYCT.

Coronavirus

Byford joins TfL as it works to help the British capital recover from the coronavirus pandemic. “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,” Khan says.

“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,” Byford says. “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.”