London transport chief resigns
The man in charge of London’s bus and underground system for the last five years is to step down, it has been announced.
Robert Kiley’s contract as chief commissioner was due to run until 2008, but he insisted his decision came “at the right time”, as he wishes to give his successor adequate time in the job in the run-up to the Olympics in 2012.
“It has been a privilege to serve as London’s first ever commissioner for transport,” the former CIA agent said.
“Transport for London has more than proved it can deliver since it was formed five years ago.”
Mr Kiley will now leave his post at the end of January, according to London mayor Ken Livingstone, who said the commissioner had “begun the largest investment programme in London’s transport system since the second world war”.
The American was the brainchild behind the unpopular £8 a day congestion charge and oversaw changes to the private finance initiative on the London Underground.
