Our 100 year history
Tranzit Group’s long and proud history dates back to 1925 when Albert Snelgrove established the Grey Bus Service in Wairarapa. After changing to the Royal Blue Bus Service five years later and then the Blue Bus Service in 1947, it was in the 1980s when ownership changed to the third generation, with brothers Paul and Keven Snelgrove buying into the company.
Since that time the fourth generation have come onboard having all played leading roles in driving the company’s future forward.
1925
Albert James Snelgrove bought his first bus and launched the Grey Bus Service.
1929
Fresh coat of paint. Our name changes to the Royal Blue Bus Service.
1947
Another name change – we become the Blue Bus Service.
1948
Schools out! Awarded very first school run with the Wellington Education Board.
1949
AJ Snelgrove retires.
1951
Albert William Snelgrove, generation two, takes over.
1955
Masterton’s Queen Street depot opens.
1972
21 vehicles in the fleet and Paul Snelgrove, Bert’s son, joins as company’s third qualified mechanic.
1981
Family business evolves. Ownership changes to the third Snelgrove generation with Paul and Lorraine Snelgrove.
1982
A rentals division of the Blue Bus Service is launched.
1982
Purchase Mount Cook Landlines which services between Palmerston North and Masterton, allowing us to set up a freight division on this route.
1984
And then we were Tranzit Group Ltd. A new name reflecting new ventures in freight and tourism. 32 vehicles in fleet.
1985
Keven Snelgrove buys shares in the company.
1987
Gasoline Heaven! Purchase of service station in Manawatu gives us the opportunity to provide ourselves with wholesale fuel prices.
1989
Wonderful Wellington. Successfully tendered for Vickers Group – and open first Wellington branch.
1991
Opened our Palmerston North branch starting with one bus expanding to 75.
1991
Bought InterCity Coachlines from the Government with a 50% shareholder in InterCity Group – New Zealand’s biggest bus network.
1992
Bought Newman’s Coachlines – later to merge into and expand the InterCity fleet.
Set up Magic Travellers Network with Ritchies and Nelson SBL, a hop on hop off backpacker network. This went on to win the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award in 2008.
1994
Upgrade and livery change of InterCity and further commitment to quality was seen with new Volvo B12 Hi-Deck coaches.
1995
Opened our Whanganui branch with the purchase of Greyhound buses.
Fourth generation – James Snelgrove who began as a diesel apprentice in 1992, moved into tour driving.
Schools out! Awarded very first school run with the Wellington Education Board.
1996
Tranzit Coachlines Wairarapa introduces the Wairarapa Travel Club. This now operates across the North Island.
1998
Won the urban bus contract in Palmerston North.
2000
A new millennium begins. The world went into chaos but we remained calm and carried on… with a fleet of 220.
2003
Bought Parakai Travel in Auckland – later rebranded to Pacific Tourways (Auckland) Ltd.
2005
Like no other! We opened our first Taranaki branch with the purchase of multiple businesses in the region.
2008
We hopped on board with the Auckland Regional Transport for domestic & international transfers from the airport and rail connections to the city.
2009
Sailing away… InterCity Group launched 5 brand new Greatsights – they purchased the Fullers Boats and launched the Ipipiri Boat.
2010
We purchased Cross Country Rentals in the Wairarapa – and then expanded throughout the North Island with around 200 vehicles in the fleet.
2011
Rugby mania – success! Tranzit is the official transport partner for RWC 2011. 20 branded coaches carrying teams, media, VIP’s & sporting officials.
2012
Make over! We rebranded Tranzit to a fresh, vibrant & contemporary new livery.
2013
Absolutely Positively Wellington! Purchase of Hammonds Scenic Tours with 5 sightseeing tours in the Wellington region, this later becomes Hammonds Wellington Tours.
Tranzit wins AUT contract for next 6 years and supplies fleet with 10 new buses.
Purchased Dennis Sweetman Motors in Hawke’s Bay and become agents for Suzuki, Peugeot and Citroen.
2014
International research begins into ways to decarbonise fleet including possibility of introducing electric bus technology into New Zealand.
Commence a 6 year contract with Kiwi Experience, to supply coaches nationwide with approximately 20 vehicles.
New partnership. Together with Pacific Tourways Christchurch, begin a 6 year contract to supply vehicles for AAT Kings, Trafalgar & Contiki.
2015
GOAL! Won the contract to supply all coach transport requirements for FIFA-U20 2015 tournament in New Zealand.
Knocked ‘em for six! Successfully delivered all coach transport requirements for the Cricket World Cup 2015 throughout NZ, including teams, VIP’s & media.
2016
International research on electrification continues with visits to China, Europe and Hong Kong. Tranzit’s dream to go electric becomes reality.
2017
EV1, NZ’s first commercial battery powered electric bus, begins to be built with partners AUT and funding from EECA’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.
A vote of confidence. Tranzit awarded the contract with Greater Wellington Regional Council to operate approximately half of the Wellington regions bus network.
2018
EV1 launches in Auckland.
Tranzurban Wellington and Auckland brands launched.
Introduce 10, NZ built double deck electric buses into Wellington’s Metlink bus network with partners Greater Wellington Regional Council. Featuring an inhouse designed and manufactured solution for rapid charging, these entered service alongside Tranzit’s Euro 6 diesel fleet.
Launch of NX2 services in Auckland with Auckland Transport.
Hear them ROAR. We roared into winter with a successful British and Irish Lions Tournament. We carried 16,000 people with over 1,100 movements that stretched from the bottom of the South to the top of the North.
2020
Sign contract with GWRC to add a further 31 NZ built, double deck electric buses for Wellington incrementally over the next three years.
2021
Introduce single deck electric bus into Palmerston North, in partnership with Horizons Regional Council.
Own 2100 kwh of charging infrastructure power nationwide.
Southern Hemisphere first innovation: conversion of diesel double deck bus to 100% electric.
MOE tender outcome announced: Tranzit wins six new route groups, retains four and lose five including Wairarapa – home base.
Tranzit buys Nimon & Sons bus and coach company in Hawke’s Bay & Taupo.
2022
Cross Country Rentals purchases Luxury Airport Shuttles and Royale Coachlines.
Tranzit buys Torlesse Travel in north Canterbury and Bethlehem Coachlines in Tauranga.
2023
Launch first electric bus into Taupo, with Waikato Regional Council.
Cross Country Rentals expands services to include leisure and corporate car rentals at Christchurch, Auckland and Palmerston North Airports.
2024
Cross Country Rentals launches new SESTA (Specialised School Transport Assistance) operation for East Auckland.
Launch Australasia’s first 100% electric bus fleet into Palmerston North/Ashhurst with Horizons Regional Council.
Launch first electric bus into New Plymouth and into townships of Cambridge and Te Awamutu in Waikato.
Tranzit begins Auckland Explorer Bus Contract.
Own 4100kwh of charging infrastructure power nationwide.
2025
Tranzit begins new AT Unit 110 contract in Auckland.
Tranzit celebrates 100-year anniversary.
2026
Introduces New Zealand’s first open top, double deck electric bus into Auckland on behalf of our partners Entrada Travel Group.