66 | TRANSPORT INDUSTRY Tranzit Group T T Hugh de Lacy Celebrating a century of transport service Tranzit Group’s managing director Paul Snelgrove: “From the outset, Tranzit has been known as an industry leader committed to innovation and thinking outside the box.” When Albert Snelgrove launched his Wairarapa bus service in 1925, he could scarcely have imagined his business would thrive for 100 years to become New Zealand’s biggest family-owned transport and tourism company, Tranzit Group. But Albert’s Grey Bus Service – so called because grey was the only paint colour he could source for his bus at the time – has expanded into a fleet of 3000 vehicles, with about 40% of them buses and coaches, including a growing number of electric buses, and the rest a mix of rental cars, vans and light commercial trucks. The Snelgrove family will accordingly celebrate its business milestone in fine style this year with a series of activities. “This is an extremely proud milestone for our family and our team,” Tranzit Group’s managing director Paul Snelgrove says. “Not only is it an opportunity to reflect on our past and recognise everyone who has helped get us where we are today, but it’s an opportunity to celebrate where we’re going.” Activities will be designed to celebrate the communities Tranzit’s people live and work in, to recognise its stakeholders and partners, and leave a legacy for the future. The celebrations will culminate in an exhibition of Tranzit Group memorabilia, history and photographs, and a selection of no fewer than 100 oil paintings of the company’s vehicles by former employee Wally Trickett. “From the outset, Tranzit has been known as an industry leader committed to innovation and thinking outside the box,” Paul says. “This has led us to the point, today, where we’ve pioneered our fleet through a sustainable lens to ensure we are here for another 10, 20 or 100 years. “We introduced the first battery-powered electric bus into New Zealand in 2018, as well as the first double-decker electric bus. “Then, in a Southern hemisphere first, we successfully converted a double-deck diesel bus to 100% electric to show an alternative way to de-carbonise public transport, as opposed to buying new buses. “In 2024, we introduced New Zealand’s first fully-electric bus fleet to the Manawatu in partnership with the Horizons Regional Council. “We’ve continued to introduce more electric buses into regional New Zealand in partnership with the Taranaki and Waikato regional councils, and we look forward to introducing a fleet of brand-new double-deck and single-deck electric buses into Auckland this year.” To support its growing fleet of electric buses, Tranzit has invested in significant charging infrastructure in the North Island totalling 4200kW, the largest private capacity in the country. The original Grey Bus Service, operating between Carterton and Masterton in 1925, changed its name to the Royal Blue Bus Service five years later, then the Blue Bus Service in 1947 when brighter paint options became available. The company was renamed Tranzit Group in 1981 when brothers Paul and Keven Snelgrove bought it out. Since then, it has grown to operate multiple brands across multiple sectors, including tourism, public transport, school-bus, charters and car rentals, with a staff of 2500 in 35 locations. PROUDLY SUPPORTING TRANZIT GROUP bridgestone.co.nz Bridgestone provide Tranzit Group with market-leading products, advice and nationwide support to help them achieve the lowest cost per kilometre possible. whatever your eet, whatever your need 0000 0000 0000 0000 00 / 00
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