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Transport job for Sikh who set up Oyster card
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor13.05.08
A high-profile Asian Tory has been appointed as Boris Johnson's new transport adviser.
In line with his campaign pledge to ensure his top team reflects the ethnic diversity of London, the Mayor has made Kulveer Ranger, 32, director for transport policy.
Mr Ranger, the most senior Sikh in the Tory hierarchy, was David Cameron's vice-chairman with responsibility for cities.
A former Parliamentary candidate, he is a management consultant who was "lead delivery manager" of the Oystercard when it was introduced by Transport for London in 2003, City Hall said.
He attracted controversy last year when he wrote an article warning Mr Cameron of the dangers of being seen by the public as a "toff " referring to "the aristocratic tinge to his heritage" and the "Bullingdon Club photo".
Mr Ranger will be one of 10 mayoral appointments that Mr Johnson is entitled to make as he builds up an inner circle. As well as being involved in the Oystercard implementation, he had a role in the commercial negotiations on the redevelopment of King's Cross and a deal to get a £70 million Thameslink station nearby.
Mr Ranger will oversee the relationship between the Greater London Authority and TfL to ensure the delivery of the Mayor's priorities. According to City Hall, Mr Ranger has delivered a series of proposals to cool the Tube.
Reader views (5)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I think Kulveer will perform admirably in this role. He appears to have a wide-ranging background on this topic, and the energy and charisma to push it through. Londoners should be supporting him, not quibbling about the fact he is a management consultant.
- Peter Barker, Sevenoaks, UK
TFL? No, JFB...jobs for the boys. Londoners deserve better than this; one lot of cronies leave to be replaced by another bunch...who may be replaced in 4 years time. Come on, London needs a real management team which gets on with the job while these politicians swan about. I think we should elect the right person for all the critical jobs.
- Mike Kennedy, London, UK
Oysterising all public transport within Greater London makes sense. And clearly Mr. Ranger is a good candidate to deliver that.
Mr. Johnson could have made much worse decisions (and he most probably will since he's involving himself personally with TFL), and for the moment we can be happy to get someone who, as opposed to some of the more vocal and simplistic Conservatives, actually has an idea what public transport is about and who has real experience with management in the market sector.
That he has a management consultant background qualifies rather than disqualifies him.
- Golodh, London, UK
I think this idea is crazy. What is the world coming to?
- Mariella, London
Brilliant,not an expert on the transport industry but a management consultant.And it was all going to be so different.
- Colin Portch, barking essex
