Tranzit Group will grow its operations into other New Zealand regions following an emotional acquisition
Wairarapa based family-owned bus and coach company Tranzit Group has expanded its operations into the New Zealand South Island as well as into the Bay of Plenty.
Tranzit Group has acquired long-standing Canterbury family-owned bus and coach company Torlesse Travel, which operates charter, direct resource services and some Ministry of Education school bus services.
This sale and purchase was successfully completed recently and took effect on December 1. It saw Tranzit buy Torlesse Travel’s 80 charter and school buses as well as two Leopard coaches. In addition, Tranzit will lease all three Torlesse Travel depot sites and workshops located in Rangiora, Oxford and Darfield – with the business being run as Tranzit Coachlines Southern.
At the same time, Tranzit Group expanded into the Bay of Plenty after buying family-owned bus company Bethlehem Coachlines while its operating company Cross Country Rentals has bought Royale Coachlines and Luxury Airport Shuttles under another acquisition.
Tranzit has bought Bethlehem’s 56 charter, urban and school buses as well as lease its two depots in Tauranga and Te Kuiti and will run this business as Tranzit Coachlines Bay of Plenty. Current manager Neil Jamieson will remain in his position until the end of February 2023 to assist Tranzit with a smooth transition.
Jamieson says he’s pleased to be leaving his company in New Zealand ownership and in a safe pair of hands.
“Come February next year, I will be stepping back from the bus industry after more than 45 years, 21 of these years servicing the Bay of Plenty region,” Jamieson says.
“Whilst it marks the end of a wonderful era for our family, we know this is the right outcome for us and for our team.
“We feel very comfortable that we can transition over to working for Tranzit and continue to deliver great service for all our customers and suppliers.”
Tranzit Group managing director Paul Snelgrove says the family-owned companies have huge mutual respect.
“When Neil first raised the idea of selling his company to Tranzit, we were really humbled to be considered,” Snelgrove says.
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“Not only is it a great opportunity to expand our North Island operations into Bay of Plenty but we are looking forward to transitioning Neil’s team to ours. Sharing family values is important to both of us and it was also important to the Jamieson’s that the company remain in New Zealand ownership.”
Torlesse’s Grant Rabbidge reiterated this message after more than 20 years servicing the communities of Darfield, Oxford and Rangiora.
In total, all three sale and purchase agreements will see Tranzit take on 190 extra vehicles – bringing its total fleet to 2200.
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Tranzit Group managing director Paul Snelgrove
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While Tranzit will be a new name in the both the South Island and in Bay of Plenty, the company already has business interests in Christchurch and Tauranga.
Cross Country Rentals is already established in both cities, while Tranzit operates Pacific Tourways (Auckland) and Bus Travel out of Auckland and Christchurch with these driving teams now in full swing for the summer touring season. In Tauranga, Tranzit also operates some services for InterCity.
Tranzit will also begin advertising for new team members in 2023 in both regions.
“We’re excited to be working with our new partners in Canterbury as well as in the Bay of Plenty,” says Snelgrove.
“We’re also looking forward to continuing to deliver school bus, cruise and charter services for all Bethlehem and Torlesse’s existing clients and serving both these communities.”
Starting in early 2023, there will be a soft transition and gradual introduction of Tranzit fleet and brand into the Bay of Plenty and Canterbury regions.