| 55 T T Kelly Deeks Friendly drivers behind the wheel Ginny Terry: “Along with our professional and friendly drivers, we have a modern and comfortable fleet...” Harkerss Buses TRANSPORT With some of the best-trained drivers in the industry, and a 5-Star safety rating from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Harkerss Buses provides a variety of professional and affordable transport options from depots in Canterbury and the West Coast. Proudly New Zealand owned and operated, Harkerss Buses was started in Southbridge by local businessman and qualified mechanic David Harkerss, when the opportunity arose for him to purchase two buses with two school bus runs. He turned this small start into a resounding success, growing Harkerss Buses’ fleet to 50 over the past two decades. In 2022, Harkerss Buses expanded its fleet and opened a second depot on the West Coast after winning the school bus tender for Greymouth. Today, while David and his wife Anne are still involved in the business, Harkerss Buses is run by David’s daughter Ginny Terry. Former high school teacher Ginny now likes to surround herself with bus and coach industry peers and learn as much as she can to further and support both Harkerss Buses and the road-passenger transport industry. She is president of the South Island branch of the Bus and Coach Association, a member of the School Bus Advisory Committee, and a qualified MITO Independent Assessor. She enjoys her continued association with the Ministry of Education and the opportunity to still work with schools, albeit in a different capacity. As well as its bread and butter school buses, Harkerss runs coaches and minivans for charters, group bookings, and corporate and private events across the South Island. “Along with our professional and friendly drivers, we have a modern and comfortable fleet to transport groups enjoyably and safely to their destinations on time,” Ginny says. “We have years and years of experience organising travel logistics for schools, charters, and events, and can help advise our clients with their travel timing and planning. And of course, they can always count on us to provide affordable pricing.” Behind the wheel of every bus, coach, and minivan, Harkerss Buses installs a friendly, experienced, and qualified driver. All drivers hold the appropriate licences, current First Aid certificates, and the required NZQA qualifications in transport passenger service. They also complete additional training every year. The quality and safety of Harkerss Buses’ vehicles is a key factor in both their design and construction, and their service and maintenance. Ginny has been the recipient of the Safe Business Solutions Health and Safety award in the past. School bus routes are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Education and declining rural populations are seeing the cancellation of routes where fewer than eight students use the bus. This is not good news for many operators, including Harkerss Buses, which Ginny says has lost three Greymouth school runs in the past 12 months. Determined not to be set back, Harkerss Buses is now turning its eye to growth back home in Selwyn, New Zealand’s fastest-growing region, with a view to growing the business in an area where new schools are planned for the future. “We have years and years of experience organising travel logistics for schools, charters, and events, and can help advise our clients with their travel timing and planning.” We’re pleased to be associated with Harkerss Buses. 03 365 0768 | 021 387 261 ian@duns.co.nz www.duns.co.nz To find out how we can make your business life better, give Ian Jefferis and his team a call. It’s all about collaboration.
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