A-Z Of Employers: Transport for London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What does it do?
Transport for London (TfL) runs the Tube and bus networks in London as well as the Docklands Light Railway, a short tram-link between Croydon and Wimbledon, and the river buses that take workers and tourists up and down the Thames. The organisation is responsible for managing London's network of main roads, and all 4,600 traffic lights. The Congestion Charge and London's black cabs and private taxis are also part of the empire. TfL is the successor to London Transport, which disappeared in 2000. Political control rests with the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, who can often be seen using the Tube himself between his north London home and the headquarters, near Tower Bridge, of the Greater London Authority, TfL's parent body.
Vital statistics
TfL is one of the capital's biggest employers, with about 25,000 staff. Every day it oversees, among other things, more than six million journeys by bus and three million by Tube.
The office
Head office is in Victoria Street, a stone's throw from St James's Park. There are several other smaller offices spread around the capital as well as the 274 Tube stations.
Is this you?
This year, TfL is recruiting 121 graduates, across all areas of the operation, including engineering, planning and customer services, and what's called service delivery, which sounds like the important bit of the business. There are 14 separate training schemes, with self-explanatory titles, such as civil engineering, transport planning, business analysts and information management.
The recruitment process
Go to www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/graduates for details of each scheme, and for an online "test" that'll help you match your skills and interests to a role. But don't delay; this year's applications, for a September start, close on 19 February. Selection follows a familiar pattern: phone interviews, online tests and an assessment centre. But watch out for the online exercise asking you to describe how you'd tackle a realistic business predicament. In most cases, training lasts two years and features placements (of three to six months) at the sharp end; for example, as a Tube station supervisor, or on the ground with a bus operator. In addition, there's a programme of training in generic business skills, such as IT, management and leadership. During the two years, you'll move from site to site around London.
Top dollar?
Graduates start on £23,000, increasing in the second year depending on performance and progress. They also get free travel on all TfL's buses, Tubes and trains.
Beam me up Scotty?
After three or four years, trainees can expect to be in middle or senior management positions, with real influence over the way the system works day to day.
Who's the boss?
The top job carries the title of Commissioner. The current post-holder, Peter Hendy, first joined London Transport as a graduate trainee in 1975.
Little-known fact
London's first regular bus service, an enclosed stagecoach pulled by three horses, was started 1829.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments