American freight train chief takes over the Tube

An American with no experience of passenger railway services was appointed yesterday to run London Underground. Tim O'Toole, a former freight train chief, was recommended for the job by Bob Kiley, the capital's transport commissioner and a New Yorker.

Mr O'Toole, 47, a lawyer, will join a coterie of US citizens at Transport for London, all appointed by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. Mr O'Toole, a former chief executive of the Consolidated Rail Corporation in Philadelphia, will be paid £250,000 a year plus a possible bonus as the Tube's first managing director under part-privatisation. He will take over from Paul Godier, the present managing director.

Mr Livingstone defended himself against suggestions that there would be ill-feeling that he had appointed another American to manage the capital's transport network. He said: "This is an international city. Anyone who has been caught in jams today or cannot get on the Central Line because it is closed will not give a damn about Tim's nationality."

Mr O'Toole said Mr Kiley, who has been credited with helping to turn around the New York subway service, would be helpful in overcoming any shortfalls in his knowledge of passenger services. He is expected to take over in the spring, when the Tube operation is handed to Mr Livingstone. Mr O'Toole's wife and two children will join him in London.

Mr O'Toole said safety would be his priority. "The bottom line for me is that although this is an enormous job and very complex, we do have a great opportunity to return the Underground to the great system it once was," he said. "I will leave no effort undone to see that happen."

John Biggs, who chairs the London Assembly's transport committee, said he welcomed the new managing director designate and hoped Mr O'Toole would live up to the Mayor's expectations. He added: "Bob Kiley will have to start earning his money and the Mayor will no longer be able to blame others for problems on the Underground."

Under the privatisation plan, London Underground Ltd, a publicly owned company, will retain control over train operations and fare collection, while two private consortiums will lease the infrastructure.