Former Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and longstanding routeone Awards judging panel member Joan Aitken OBE has joined the Bus Users UK Board of Trustees.
Ms Aitken is an established advocate of affordable and reliable public transport and a regular bus user in Edinburgh. She has spent much time both professionally and after retirement from the position of Traffic Commissioner promoting transport equality.
Until recently, she was Independent Chair of the Glasgow Bus Partnership Steering Group and in 2022 was appointed Chair of Transaid, which is dedicated to safe, available and sustainable transport with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to that she was Ambassador and later Trustee of the charity.
In 2024, Ms Aitken is part of the routeone Awards judging panel for the fourth time alongside six other senior coach and bus industry figures.
Speaking about her latest appointment, she says: “I am very pleased to join Bus Users UK as one of its Trustees. The bus user is overlooked in so much decision making and often treated as a second division to the car or rail user. I want bus use to be valued and given the priority that so many people need.”
Adds Bus Users UK Chief Executive Claire Waters: “It is a huge privilege to welcome Joan Aitken to our Board of Trustees. Joan is respected throughout the industry and is recognised as a champion of sustainable transport and the people who use it.
“Joan’s skills and expertise will make a vital contribution towards our mission to make transport accessible to everyone.”