THE founder and chief executive of The Big Lemon bus company told a packed audience about the company’s success story.

Tom Druitt was guest speaker at Brighton Chamber’s December breakfast.

In 2007, three buses started running between Brighton Station and Falmer.

They were bright yellow and fuelled by waste cooking oil.

Eleven years on, The Big Lemon CIC runs multiple bus services across the city and continues to push its environmentally sustainable agenda.

Tom told how he had grown up in Forest Row and one day, after a nightmare journey home, he complained to his girlfriend that public transport was so terrible yet still, he felt, so important.

She suggested that instead of complaining he should do something about it.

Tom settled in Brighton and, although transport was OK in the city, he noticed how bad it got the further out of the centre you travelled.

Despite being far from an expert on the subject he decided to set up a meeting at Brighton’s Cricketers pub to discuss how to solve the public transport problem – and so The Big Lemon Bus project began.

Once the first meeting had happened, Tom said many people came forward and helped to get the project off the ground.

He said his message was about the importance of a strong vision, an engaged community and a willingness not to give up.

He said: “If you have a good idea, just do it – otherwise you won’t.”

Tom said it had been a huge rollercoaster and not without challenges.

Today The Big Lemon operates right across the city and, since launching the first electric solar powered bus service network in the UK last year, now has plans to launch four more in January.

Its goal to bring zero-emission, community powered and affordable public transport to everyone is still the driving force.

It is determined to ensure climate change and air quality are kept on the table but also to provide a reliable and great experience. The social enterprise model allows it to focus on its purpose and with 450 local investors, the support of the community is key.