Ben Colson MBE is standing down as Chair of Bus Users UK after five and a half years in the role.

He joined Bus Users in 2018 following a career in the UK bus industry in which he founded the Kings Lynn based Norfolk Green Bus Company, the only SME to receive the UK Bus Operator of the Year Award. In 2014, Ben himself received the UK Bus Lifetime Achievement Award for Services to the Bus Industry. In further recognition of his services to the economy and community of West Norfolk, he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours List.

As Chair of Bus Users UK, the organisation says Mr Colson has been “pivotal” in transforming the organisation into a registered charity and the only Approved Alternative Dispute Resolution body for the bus and coach industry. Under his governance, Bus Users UK is now recognised by Government and transport bodies as a champion of accessible transport.

Commenting on his time with the organisation, he said: “Working work Bus Users UK has been wonderful and insightful, something it would do us all in the operating community well to experience. The small staff is truly dedicated and it brings home how important it is to put the customer’s needs first at all times.”

Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK added: “Ben Colson has been an exemplary chair and is a highly respected colleague and friend. His knowledge and expertise has been invaluable to our organisation and to the wider industry and we hope he will continue to support our work in the future.”

Before joining Bus Users UK, Mr Colson was also Chair of ALBUM (The Association of Local Bus Company Managers) and a Trustee of the Community Transport Association. He is a Fellow of CILT and a member of its Bus Policy and Rural Affairs Groups.

(Picture – Bus Users)