Tranzit Purchase Torlesse

New Zealand’s largest familyowned bus and coach company, Tranzit Group has acquired the long-standing Canterbury family-owned bus and coach company, Torlesse Travel. The sale of Torlesse, which operated charter, direct resource services and some Ministry of Education school bus services, was completed on December 1st. The sale and purchase agreement included Tranzit Group buying Torlesse Travel’s eighty charter and school buses as well as two Leopard coaches. In addition, Tranzit has leased all three Torlesse Travel depot sites and workshops located in Darfield, Oxford and Rangiora. Tranzit Group Managing Director Paul Snelgrove said, “The two companies have always had a huge mutual respect and share similar family values, so when we were approached to buy the company, it was great timing as we were looking to grow our business and to have a permanent bus and coach base in the South Island.” While Tranzit will be a new name in this part of New Zealand, the company founded in 1924 in Wairarapa by Paul’s grandfather Albert Snelgrove, already has business interests in Christchurch. Their operating company Cross Country Rentals was established there in 2016, while Tranzit also operates Pacific Tourways (Auckland) Ltd and Bus Travel Ltd in both Auckland and Christchurch, with these driving teams now in full swing for the summer touring season. “We are a family-owned transport and tourism company with our roots firmly in regional New Zealand -Wairarapa to be precise. We are committed to continuing the legacy that Grant Rabbidge has built in this part of Canterbury for more than twenty years, including taking on the core of their operations and continuing to deliver exceptional services,” Paul added. Tranzit has spent several weeks working with the existing Torlesse team through a positive transition period and recently began the interview process to bring across as many of that team to ensure minimal disruption and continuity of services. This includes welcoming over sixty drivers, mechanics and operations team members. Torlesse’s Grant Rabbidge said, “He was pleased to be leaving his company in New Zealand ownership and in a safe pair of hands. “Stepping back from the bus industry after more than twenty years servicing the terrific communities here in Darfield, Oxford and Rangiora has been a difficult decision for our family to make, however, we know this is the right outcome for our team as they can continue to work for Tranzit and continue to give our customers and suppliers continuity,” Grant concluded. Paul added, “All Torlesse’s existing school bus services have continued as usual during the last of Term 4 under Tranzit with minimal disruption to parents, students and schools. Due to having the same vehicles, drivers and team. “Starting in January 2023, there will be a soft transition and gradual introduction of Tranzit Coachlines fleet and brand into Canterbury,” Paul concluded.