Tube exec to lead Manchester transport body
A LONDON Underground executive has taken the top job at Manchester’s transport body, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Dr Jon Lamonte heads Tube Lines, a £600m-700m turnover division of Transport for London, which runs the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.
He will start the £265,000-a-year role in January, taking over from David Leather, who has been seconded to the position from Ernst & Young since 2006.
Dr Lamonte will oversee £2bn-plus investments in public transport including the ongoing expansion of the Metrolink network, the planned introduction of smart ticketing, four new transport interchanges and bus priority measures. The programme is forecast to create 21,000 extra jobs by 2021.
He said: “Maintaining a real hard-edged focus on the delivery of the £2bn capital programme is vital as is its role in boosting the growth of the Greater Manchester economy.
“At the same time, putting the customer first has to be a top priority, delivering safe, reliable and efficient services that we can all take pride in. Everyone has told me what a great place Manchester is to live and work and I can’t wait to make a start.”
Lord Peter Smith, chair of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “A high quality transport network is fundamental to the future success of Greater Manchester.
“Transport for Greater Manchester has achieved much in recent years under the leadership of David Leather. But many challenges remain, not least achieving the rail improvements which will help Greater Manchester realise its potential.
“Jon Lamonte’s leadership and vision will be crucial to meeting these challenges in the years ahead.”
The starting salary of £265,000 will rise to £275,000 in 2014 and £285,000 in 2015. Greater Manchester Combined Authority said this reflected “the importance of the post to a region with a population of 2.6 million and which accounts for 5% of the national economy”.
