Mike Brown is appointed new boss of TfL

Boris Johnson today appointed interim Commissioner Mike Brown as the new boss of Transport for London.

Mr Brown was confirmed by the TfL board today after an international recruitment process launched when his predecessor Sir Peter Hendy moved to Network Rail earlier this year.

However, the Mayor has ignored pleas to cut the transport chief’s £534,000 pay package - made up of £354,000 salary and performance related bonuses of up to £178,000 - after repeatedly insisting TfL needed to pay to get the best.

Mr Brown, the frontrunner to get the job, has been running the capital’s transport network since July when he stepped up to take over from Sir Peter.

He was previously in charge of London Underground for five years, where he oversaw a huge modernisation programme as well as a series of strikes over controversial moves such as ticket office closures.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m delighted to confirm Mike Brown as London’s new Transport Commissioner. Under Mike’s leadership, we’ve seen record numbers of customers carried on our Tube, DLR and London Overground networks and Tube delays have fallen by well over 40 per cent since 2010. “He brings decades of service, experience and leadership to the role and is the right person to lead the next wave of modernisation and improvement at TfL, to ensure London continues to grow and prosper to the benefit of the whole country.”

Mr Brown added: “I am honoured to be appointed London’s new Transport Commissioner. London’s transport networks have been modernised and customer service transformed in recent years, enabling us to carry more people, more safely and reliably than ever before.

“It is vital that we continue to invest, deliver even greater efficiencies and develop our commercial revenue, to support more jobs, homes and ensure London remains the engine of the UK economy.”

Mr Brown plans to continue the modernisation of the transport network, including the delivery of Crossrail and eventually Crossrail 2. He will also make the capital’s case for taking over suburban rail franchises and deliver a roads improvement programme.