| Bus Users UK is very sorry to say farewell to our Operations Officer for England Phil Tonks, who has left us to take up the new role of Bus Passenger Link Executive for the West Midlands and East of England for Passenger Focus.
Phil joined the staff of Bus Users UK in December 2004, just as NFBU was changing its name to Bus Users UK, as assistant to Areas Officer Joe Lynch. Joe also now works for Passenger Focus. Phil moved up into Joe's shoes when he left us to go back to the local authority sector.
Phil had worked as a volunteer for NFBU for many years before joining the staff and has been a tower of strength to us: almost literally as he's 6ft 7in! Most recently he has developed a partnership called Your Bus Matters in the West Midlands, involving ourselves, Centro and the local operators. His series of articles looking at the bus operations of various cities through the eyes of an unfamiliar bus user have become almost legendary: and have been almost 'required reading' for bus company managers. Phil retains his membership of Bus Users UK and we are hopeful he may be able to write us some more in his new role.
We wish Phil well in this new stage of his career of seeking the best for bus passengers.
We will be taking the opportunity to revise the structure of Bus Users UK before announcing the appointment of a successor. | 
