Sustainability
The Tranzit Group maybe one of New Zealand’s oldest transport and tourism companies, but we can’t stop thinking like the newest.
We take responsibility for our impact on the environment and acting on climate change, so this fourth-generation family business is around for the fifth and sixth generations.
The Tranzit Group launched its 2024–2030 business strategy to provide a roadmap for the future.
It is anchored in six foundational pillars that provide a clear direction – setting our course for the next century. At its heart is Sustainability – our commitment to leading sustainable business practices across operations and communities.
It’s about building a legacy of environmental leadership, operational excellence, and people-first values that will shape the future of transport in Aotearoa and beyond.
Tranzit Group has pioneered the reduction of tail pipe emissions in New Zealand for decades by choosing to run our vehicles with the cleanest diesel engines available – such as Euro 6 which is the lowest emitting diesel engine available globally.
In 2018, Tranzit Group pioneered brand new electric buses into New Zealand and since that time we continue to transition our urban fleet to 100% electric supported by a significant investment in charging infrastructure.
At the same time, and in a move to show an alternative way to decarbonise bus fleets, Tranzit Group’s team of mechanics and engineers converted two diesel buses to 100% electric – the first double deck conversion being a Southern Hemisphere first innovation. These two “repower” buses have joined our Tranzurban Wellington bus fleet and are now transporting passengers travelling on the Metlink network in our Capital City.
Tranzit Group also partners with telematics provider EROAD that will enable us to accelerate our efforts towards greater fleet efficiency. With our systems on this one platform, it allows for improved quality of reporting across our entire fleet, including our growing fleet of electric buses. This assists us to monitoring our performance, ensure we meet our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for our key stakeholders and provides us with insights and recommendations for managing emissions.
As part of our goal to transition to a zero-carbon future, Tranzit Group is embedding sustainability throughout our business. We are measuring emissions reductions and energy efficiency and, in some depots, have begun to measure water conservation, waste reduction and implement a compost system to reduce food waste to landfill.
Sustainable tourism
Tranzit Group has been dedicated to making the journey better for over 100 years and this includes our commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations.
Tranzit Group has signed the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, a program with a vision to lead the world in sustainable tourism. As part of this, our pledge is to protect and enhance the environment we depend on, for the benefit of future generations, while ensuring long term business success.
We are also committed to following the Tiaki promise, recognising that New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it.
As we host and transport a growing number of visitors around the country, it’s our responsibility to enhance our natural resources and encourage them to do the same.
Tiaki means to care and protect.
SUSTAINABILITY CASE STUDY
Decarbonising public transport in Wellington City
In 2018, Tranzit introduced New Zealand’s first double deck electric buses (EVDDs) into Metlink’s public transport bus network, as part of a new contract with Greater Wellington Regional Council. Instead of following manufacturing methods of other international companies, Tranzit chose to help build New Zealand’s electric bus capability, working with Tauranga’s Kiwi Bus Builders to build the buses using parts sourced from New Zealand and chassis and batteries built, then brought to New Zealand, from China.
Sustainability Case Study
Tranzit and Rotary Masterton South’s Mobile Health Clinic for the Cook Islands
A successful four-way partnership involving Tranzit and Wairarapa Rotary Masterton South came to a happy conclusion in Rarotonga in August 2021.
The Tranzit Group’s Managing Director Paul Snelgrove and former President of Rotary Masterton South, Dr Rob Irwin visited the Cook Islands to check on the condition, usage and future of the mobile medical health unit, they had donated and delivered to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health three years earlier.
The pair were part of a major project that began in 2016 and saw an old Tranzit bus refitted with specialised medical equipment and repurposed to be used as a mobile health unit servicing communities in Rarotonga. The project received financial support from Rotary Clubs in District 9940 and Charitable Trusts while the Rotary Foundation gave the project the green light. In June 2018 it was handed over to the Cook Islands Ministry of Health in a colourful ceremony.
Since that time, it has served a necessary role in ensuring the health of people living in Rarotonga. It has improved the existing public health service around the island with its improved patient privacy and up to date equipment. Then, during the Rarotonga Covid-19 lockdown, it was located on the tarmac at the International Airport and used to screen and/or treat passengers displaying Covid symptoms on entry into the country.
In 2021, the bus was officially signed over to the Ministry of Health with Secretary of Health for Rarotonga, Bob Williams, saying at the time: “It’s well utilised to support clinics around the Island. We are grateful and thankful for a bus like that”.
Paul Snelgrove was thrilled to be part of such a special project that will ensure the people of Rarotonga continue to have access to medical support. He was also pleased with the condition of the ex-Tranzit bus and happy to hear that four of the original bus drivers trained by Tranzit, still drive the mobile unit.
“It’s well utilised to support clinics around the Island. We are grateful and thankful for a bus like that”.
Bob Williams