Traffic & Transit
Andy Byford Is London's Train Daddy Now
The former New York City Transit chief has accepted a post as London's transport commissioner, Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed Wednesday.
NEW YORK CITY — Train Daddy loves you London very much.
Andy Byford, New York City’s former subway chief whom avid local fans dubbed "Train Daddy," is returning to the city where his career began.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed Wednesday that Byford has been appointed commissioner of Transport for London and will run the city's subway, bus and road systems.
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“I'm delighted to confirm Andy Byford as London’s new transport commissioner," tweeted Khan. "Andy brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise to lead @TfL as we face the unprecedented challenge of COVID19, and work to build a cleaner, greener city."
Byford accepts this new position months after resigning from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in January amid ongoing tension between him and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
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Cuomo appointed Byford in 2017 and, during his tenure, "Train Daddy" oversaw a resuscitation of subway service and proposed a sweeping plan to modernize the city's sprawling but troubled public transit in the next decade.
MTA also passed a record-breaking $51.5 billion capital budget in 2019 under Byford's leadership.
He is slated to start his new London post next month.
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