More crisis for Transport for London (TfL).

Only into the job a little over two years the genial Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner has resigned.

Appointed in May 2020, just weeks after London was put into its first coronavirus lockdown, Byford arrived with a stellar track record as the former President and Chief Executive of the New York Transit Authority, where he was credited with modernising a troubled public transport system.  

He said getting the long-delayed Elizabeth Line open had been his crowning achievement, and meeting The Queen when she visited Paddington station, one of her last public appearances, was his greatest moment.

He told Mayor Sadiq Khan on 31 May that he would be leaving after serving out his notice. He leaves TfL at the end of October.  Andy Lord, the current Chief Operating Officer, will take on the role of Commissioner on an interim basis.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Byford insisted there had been no rows – “none whatsoever” – with Mr Khan, when asked whether there were other reasons for his departure.

Whilst for the most part working very well TfL has struggled from very serious financial problems with former Mayor Boris Johnson having to bail out the bus and train operator more than several times.

His only regret is that he and his wife will no longer be able to travel the country following Plymouth Argyle, his hometown team.  Nor directly support the resurrection of Plymouth City Airport.  A visit to London City Airport (LCY) and a discussion over the missing Silvertown/LCY Elizabeth Line station have also been cancelled.   

https://tfl.gov.uk