Bus Users UK has appointed one of Britain’s most respected transport leaders, Joan Aitken OBE FCILT, as Chair of its Board of Trustees, succeeding Jennie Martin MBE FCILT FCIHT following three years of distinguished leadership.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for bus and coach passengers, with significant changes underway in how services are funded and delivered across the UK. Joan’s extensive experience as a regulator, governance leader and champion of accessible transport will bring invaluable perspective as Bus Users UK continues its work as the independent voice of passengers.
A solicitor by profession, Joan joined the Bus Users UK Board in 2024. She is widely recognised for her lifelong commitment to fairness in transport and robust public accountability, having served as Scotland’s first female Traffic Commissioner from 2003 to 2019 before being awarded an OBE for services to transport and road safety. Alongside her new role, she is Chair of Transaid, the international development charity improving access to safe, available and sustainable transport, and previously chaired the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership Steering Group.
Commenting on her appointment, Joan Aitken said: "I am honoured to become Chair of Bus Users UK. Good transport is not a luxury; it is essential to people’s everyday lives. Passengers deserve services that are reliable and accessible, and they deserve to have their voices heard when decisions are made about their communities.
"I have spent my career working to uphold fairness and accountability across the transport sector, and I look forward to bringing that experience to Bus Users UK. The organisation has an important role to play, not only in holding the sector to account, but also in working constructively with operators and authorities to ensure passengers are never an afterthought."
Welcoming Joan’s appointment, Lydia Horbury, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK, said: "Joan brings a rare combination of experience, integrity and an unwavering commitment to public service, making her an outstanding choice to lead our Board. As bus networks evolve through franchising and wider reform, ensuring passengers have an independent, informed voice has never been more important. Joan understands when to listen, when to challenge and how to build the partnerships needed to deliver better outcomes for passengers. I am looking forward to working alongside her as we continue championing accessible, inclusive transport."
Joan succeeds Jennie Martin, who joined the Board of Trustees in 2018 and has served as Chair since 2023. During her tenure, Jennie has helped guide Bus Users UK through a period of significant development, including the organisation's 50th anniversary year, while strengthening its position as the independent voice of bus and coach passengers.
Lydia Horbury added: "Jennie has made an enormous contribution to Bus Users UK. Her calm judgement, strategic insight and unwavering support have helped guide both the Board and the organisation through an important chapter in our history. I have valued her encouragement immensely and am delighted that she will continue to be part of the Bus Users UK family as an Ambussador."
Jennie Martin said: "It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Bus Users UK and to work alongside such committed trustees and staff. I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together and of the organisation's reputation as a trusted, independent voice for passengers. As the bus and coach sector continues to evolve, ensuring passengers are heard will be more important than ever. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair and look forward to continuing to support the organisation as an Ambussador.
Annual membership for Women in Transport is £60, providing access to professional development and networking opportunities. Corporate packages are available; for inquiries, please email us or visit our website.
Our partnership packages are a flexible and accessible way to support Women in Transport and your organisation's equity, diversity, and inclusion objectives. Learn more about our partnership opportunities here and contact us if you would like a meeting to discuss how we can work together.
Follow us on Linkedin at Women in Transport, and at @transportwmn on Instagram for events, news, and updates.