The Tranzit Group of Companies

The Tranzit Group is New Zealand’s largest family-owned transport and tourism company operating throughout Aotearoa.

For 100 years, we’ve held the reputation of being pioneers and innovators in the bus and coach industry and have no intention of stopping.

We are behind some of New Zealand’s most well-known brands including Tranzit Coachlines, Tranzit InterCity, Tranzit Tours, Pacific Tourways (Auckland), Royale Coachlines, Tranzurban, Cross Country Rentals, Maugers, Right Price Rentals, Luxury Airport Shuttles and Bus Travel NZ Ltd.

Tranzit Group is also a 50% shareholder of Entrada Travel Group incorporating GreatSights, Gray Line, AwesomeNZ, Greyhound Australia, InterCity, Tusa Dive and Divers Den in Australia.

Our history

Tranzit’s long and proud history dates back to 1925 when Albert Snelgrove launched a bold venture in Wairarapa with a single bus and a vision to connect the community. Named the Grey Bus Service, it began a legacy that would span four generations.

After changing its name to the Royal Blue Bus Service five years later and then to the Blue Bus Service in 1947, it moved into the hands of the second generation with Bert Snelgrove and his siblings Joan, Donald, David and John. They built a brand-new depot to house their fleet of eight vehicles and began to grow the business over the following years.

It was in 1981 when third-generation Paul Snelgrove, a qualified mechanic, and his wife Lorraine bought into the business. Determined to grow it beyond the Wairarapa, they embraced technology, investing in a smart new computer that enabled them to work more efficiently. A few years later, Paul’s brother Keven Snelgrove and his wife Robyn bought into the business.

By 1984, and with a fleet of 32 vehicles, the brothers rebranded to Tranzit Group to reflect an expansion into freight and tourism. It was clear they were steering the company, their grandfather founded, in new directions.

Today, Tranzit is still proudly owned by the Snelgrove family with the fourth generation now driving the company forward with Paul and Keven’s children in key leadership roles.

With over 2000 employees nationwide, connecting the communities they live and work in, Tranzit Group’s head office proudly remains in Masterton and continues to thrive, attracting new talent to the region and growing existing team members. Tranzit Group operates a fleet of over 3000 vehicles, 15 workshops, 35 depots and owns significant charging infrastructure for its growing electric bus fleet.

Sectors we operate in include:               

• Public transport
• Ministry of Education school bus services
• SESTA (Special Education Service Transport) services
• Tourism
• Event and charter group transport
• Car rentals and leases
• Electric buses.

To learn more about our history you can watch this short video.                                                     

Our Brands

Our Partner Relationships

• Metlink – providing urban bus services across the greater Wellington region
• Ministry of Education – providing School Bus services and Specialised School Transport Assistance (SESTA)
• Horizons Regional Council – providing urban bus services across Palmerston North and Whanganui
• Auckland Transport – providing urban bus services from the North Shore into the City
• Taranaki Regional Council - providing urban bus services across the Taranaki region
• Waikato Regional Council - providing urban bus services for the Waipa District