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  News   Recovery   Opinion
Wednesday 24 April 2024
Roundup   Jobs   Calendar  

Coach

Auckland bus, train, ferry fares to increase
16 Jan 2024   /

Auckland bus, train, ferry fares to increase

Auckland Transport will increase public transport fares on buses, trains and ferries on 4 February 2024 to help meet significant operating cost increases.


Entrada expands in Aus with Greyhound acquisition
5 Dec 2023   /

Entrada expands in Aus with Greyhound acquisition

The InterCity owner now controls Australia’s nationwide coach operator.


Waikato’s first electric bus in service
5 Dec 2023   /

Waikato’s first electric bus in service

Waikato’s first electric bus is now on the streets in Taupō.


Doocey’s ‘surprise’ appointment to tourism cautiously approved
27 Nov 2023   / /

Doocey’s ‘surprise’ appointment to tourism cautiously approved

Matt Doocey’s appointment to the tourism and hospitality portfolio has pleased tourism sector stakeholders, even if his previous experience did not make him an obvious choice.


Chch ferry, bus network going cashless
27 Oct 2023  

Chch ferry, bus network going cashless

Christchurch’s metro network will be going cashless in the second half of 2024 as work progresses on the implementation of a national ticketing system (NTS).


“It’s exciting to have it back” – Early retakes Leopard after Tranzit acquisition
26 Oct 2023   /

“It’s exciting to have it back” – Early retakes Leopard after Tranzit acquisition

The high-profile pandemic casualty is back in the hands of the founding family, with its premium offer returning to the road.


More electric buses for Christchurch
18 Oct 2023   /

More electric buses for Christchurch

More zero-emission buses will soon be on the roads around Christchurch.


Southern Discoveries launches multi-language commentary app
18 Sep 2023  

Southern Discoveries launches multi-language commentary app

Southern Discoveries has launched a multi-language commentary app for its Queenstown to Milford Sound coach journeys.


West Coast Tourism Summit: Entrada operating at loss to service region
1 Sep 2023  

West Coast Tourism Summit: Entrada operating at loss to service region

The West Coast may be recovering fast from the pandemic but not all parts of its tourism economy have rebounded, according to Entrada Group.


Clear road ahead for Grand Pacific Tours
28 Aug 2023   /

Clear road ahead for Grand Pacific Tours

The major ITO says a strong recovery allows investment to help meet changing customer preferences.


Operators recognised in Grand Pacific Tours awards
17 Aug 2023   /

Operators recognised in Grand Pacific Tours awards

Distinction Christchurch has taken the top spot in two categories at Grand Pacific Tours’ Supplier and Crew Awards this year.


InterCity winds down loyalty programme
4 Aug 2023  

InterCity winds down loyalty programme

InterCity is wrapping up its loyalty programme at the end of August.


Bus & Coach conference coming to Christchurch
12 Jul 2023  

Bus & Coach conference coming to Christchurch

Around 200 delegates are expected to attend the Bus and Coach Association’s 2023 conference in Christchurch at the Wolfbrook Arena this September.


Lake Wakatipu exit allows Milford investment – Southern Discoveries

Lake Wakatipu exit allows Milford investment – Southern Discoveries

Southern Discoveries says the sale of its Spirit of Queenstown vessel to RealNZ will enable it to invest in its Milford Sound cruises and coach operations.


Bus & Coach taps Waka Kotahi’s Delaney Myers for CEO
7 Jun 2023   /

Bus & Coach taps Waka Kotahi’s Delaney Myers for CEO

NZTA’s public transport manager, Delaney Myers, will lead the association from July.


“Positive” step for ferry, bus operators as transport agreement finalised
27 Apr 2023   /

“Positive” step for ferry, bus operators as transport agreement finalised

The new rules boost the residence pathway for skippers, deckhands and bus drivers coming to work under the AEWV.


Coach demand strong but problems persist – BCA’s Barry Kidd
24 Mar 2023   /

Coach demand strong but problems persist – BCA’s Barry Kidd

The interim CEO says the recovery is patchy although some operators are doing better than expected.


Bus services to resume between Napier and Hastings
24 Mar 2023  

Bus services to resume between Napier and Hastings

GoBay will resume hourly bus services between Napier and Hastings six days per week from next Monday.


InterCity resumes Gisborne services with $15 fares to support reconnection
24 Feb 2023  

InterCity resumes Gisborne services with $15 fares to support reconnection

InterCity has resumed its Auckland to Gisborne services and introduced $15 fares to help reconnect Tairāwhiti.


THL shelves KiwiEx sale as earnings rise at tourism experiences
23 Feb 2023   /

THL shelves KiwiEx sale as earnings rise at tourism experiences

KPMG was engaged to scope interest in the youth and adventure-focused coach business.


AT unveils country’s first fully electric bus depot
26 Jan 2023   /

AT unveils country’s first fully electric bus depot

Auckland Transport has unveiled the country’s first fully electric bus depot in Panmure.


Tranzit expands again with Torlesse Travel, Bethlehem Coachlines acquisitions
12 Dec 2022   /

Tranzit expands again with Torlesse Travel, Bethlehem Coachlines acquisitions

The group swoops on Torlesse Travel and BOP’s Bethlehem Coachlines.


Dire summer staffing shortage at 34k and counting…
9 Dec 2022  

Dire summer staffing shortage at 34k and counting…

The Restaurant Association, HCA, and Bus and Coach say their sectors need an estimated 33k workers to meet demand this summer.


Review 2022: BCA’s Ben McFadgen on challenges and opportunities
7 Dec 2022   /

Review 2022: BCA’s Ben McFadgen on challenges and opportunities

In our 2022 Year in Review, we hear from some of tourism’s top stakeholders about the year that was and what’s ahead in 2023.


Ritchies ramps up Queenstown – Wānaka service…
7 Dec 2022  

Ritchies ramps up Queenstown – Wānaka service…

Ritchies is extending timetabled services on its Queenstown to Wānaka route over the summer.


…while Entrada revives West Coast Intercity route
7 Dec 2022   /

…while Entrada revives West Coast Intercity route

Entrada Travel Group is reinstating InterCity services on the West Coast from 11 December.


Perspectives: The coach sector is in crisis because of govt inaction
1 Dec 2022   /

Perspectives: The coach sector is in crisis because of govt inaction

BCA’s Ben McFadgen says the shortage of operators, drivers and coaches is a direct result of the sector being overlooked.


TECNZ’s Keene urges “positive, frank” approach to coping with coach pressures
17 Nov 2022   /

TECNZ’s Keene urges “positive, frank” approach to coping with coach pressures

Increasing demand, rising costs, and shortages are putting pressure on the coach network.


BCA revises alpine safety code
7 Nov 2022   /

BCA revises alpine safety code

The code enables operators to minimise the risks associated with transporting passengers through alpine environments.


What about tour drivers? BCA on govt’s $61m bus wage boost
31 Oct 2022   /

What about tour drivers? BCA on govt’s $61m bus wage boost

The govt’s investment must be made with consistency, fairness and sustainability, says the association.


“Tours might suffer” – BCA’s McFadgen on the  challenges for bus & coach
7 Oct 2022   /

“Tours might suffer” – BCA’s McFadgen on the challenges for bus & coach

The industry is struggling with what could be a substantial gap between supply and demand this summer.


Entrada to restart Auckland Explorer bus
19 Sep 2022  

Entrada to restart Auckland Explorer bus

The hop-on hop-off Explorer Bus in Auckland is restarting services with three new open-top, double-decker vehicles in fleet as it ramps up capacity to cater for cruise ship passengers visiting the city over the summer.


Metlink removes mask requirements on public transport
14 Sep 2022   /

Metlink removes mask requirements on public transport

Masks are no longer required on Metlink’s bus, rail, ferry, and total mobility services, but remain strongly recommended on public transport.


“We are heading pell-mell back to the 1970s” – BCA on govt’s transport plans
16 Aug 2022   /

“We are heading pell-mell back to the 1970s” – BCA on govt’s transport plans

The BCA criticises the government’s new public transport plans as a throwback to the past and a disservice to all those working in the industry.


“We’ll go after them with everything we’ve got” –  Stray’s Hudson on any KiwiEx buyer
1 Jul 2022  

“We’ll go after them with everything we’ve got” – Stray’s Hudson on any KiwiEx buyer

The operator marks its 20th year with a watchful eye on competition and continual product development as bookings recover.


Bus & Coach welcomes $61m driver support
24 May 2022   /

Bus & Coach welcomes $61m driver support

The Bus and Coach Association has welcomed the government’s “timely” plans to invest $61m to support a skilled, sustainable workforce of bus drivers.


Operators cautious over congestion charging
16 May 2022   /

Operators cautious over congestion charging

They could heap more costs on tourism businesses but they could also help clear traffic and combat climate change.


Kinetic takeover of NZ Bus prompts BCA concerns
21 Apr 2022   /

Kinetic takeover of NZ Bus prompts BCA concerns

Bus and Coach Association acting chief executive Max Dickens said the merger could reduce competition in the bus industry if it proceeded.


Ritchies Transport appoints CEO
13 Apr 2022   /

Ritchies Transport appoints CEO

Michele Kernahan has been appointed chief executive officer for Ritchies Transport.


Early end for Leopard after 30+ years, but another road to run
7 Apr 2022   /

Early end for Leopard after 30+ years, but another road to run

Brent Early’s tenure as Leopard Coachlines managing director has come to an end following the company’s acquisition by Canterbury bus company Torlesse Travel, but it is far from the end of the road for him.


Leopard Coachlines goes into liquidation
18 Feb 2022   /

Leopard Coachlines goes into liquidation

After more than 50 years of operating, the company files for voluntary liquidation citing NZ’s border rules as the last straw.


Wednesday Letter: Operators need to invest in more than just their business
16 Feb 2022   /

Wednesday Letter: Operators need to invest in more than just their business

The tourism recovery will require a different way of thinking and working, writes BCA’s Ben McFadgen.


BCA’s Ben McFadgen: The govt is letting our industry collapse
14 Dec 2021   /

BCA’s Ben McFadgen: The govt is letting our industry collapse

The Bus and Coach Association’s CEO calls for tourism minister Stuart Nash to go.


NZ’s forgotten industry – campervan firm pleads for govt support
20 Oct 2021   /

NZ’s forgotten industry – campervan firm pleads for govt support

Wendekreisen Campervan & Motorhome Rental wants the government to provide targeted assistance to the rental vehicle sector.


Coach operators fear few prospects in govt’s tourism vision
7 Sep 2021  

Coach operators fear few prospects in govt’s tourism vision

The Bus and Coach Association is asking for more support from the government as businesses in the sector continue to suffer.


KKR buys coach and bus operator Ritchies
30 Aug 2021   /

KKR buys coach and bus operator Ritchies

The US investor swoops on the Kiwi business, which runs tour group and charter services as well as commuter and school routes.


InterCity to trim schedule after 48-hour travel window
19 Aug 2021  

InterCity to trim schedule after 48-hour travel window

InterCity is operating on a reduced schedule until 11.59pm tonight under the governments 48-hour travel window.


Go Bus acquires McDermott in southern expansion
2 Aug 2021   /

Go Bus acquires McDermott in southern expansion

Go Bus has acquired Invercargill-based McDermott Coachlines.


$69m revamped transport hub opens
26 Jul 2021   /

$69m revamped transport hub opens

Bus and rail services have recommenced at Puhinui Station in Papatoetoe after a $69m revamp.


New airport express bus slated for Wellington
1 Jul 2021  

New airport express bus slated for Wellington

Metlink seeking operator for new service.