The number of employees working for Transport for London (TFL) earning a total remuneration package over £100,000 has reached more than 400 for the first time.
This represents an increase of some 87 employees at the organisation, rising from 326 in 2013/14 to 413 in 2014/15.
There was also an increase of 19 people (40 in 2013/14 compared to 59 in 2014/15) that were on a base salary of less than £100,000 but who received a one off voluntary severance payment that took their total remuneration above this.
According to figures published in TFL’s Annual report, overtime worked by specialist engineers and highly skilled project staff also pushed the amount into six figures.
The number of Crossrail staff who received total remuneration of over £100,000 rose from 40 in 2013/14 to 41 in 2014/15.
Commenting on the figures, a TFL spokesperson said: “This is largely attributable to the increased number of employees working overtime to complete major multi-billion pound projects to modernise London Underground and Crossrail.
“There was also an increase in those who received voluntary severance as part of efficiency measures which will deliver financial savings.
“The overtime was worked by specialist engineers and highly skilled project staff, 91 of whom earn a base salary of less than £100,000. However, the overtime earned took their total remuneration above this.
“This is more than double the number of people who were in this position in 2013/14, due to the fact that the modernisation programme increased in its scale during this year.”
Research carried out by the organisation’s remuneration consultants has found that base salaries and total target remuneration for TFL’s commissioner and chief officers are significantly below the market level.
Last year, TFL employees went on strike over pay and pensions.