Family bus company goes for Gold

LONG TIME RUNNING: Tranzit was once the Royal Blue Bus Service in Lincoln Rd, pictured here, circa 1950s. PHOTO/WAIRARAPA ARCHIVES

A national bus service with deep roots in Wairarapa is being recognised at the Wellington Gold Awards 2014.

Trundling over the Rimutakas from Wellington in an 18-seater Graham-Paige Special Dodge bus he bought with a loan, Albert Snelgrove started a bus service between Carterton and Masterton.

Now, 90 years later, Tranzit Group has a fleet of 600 buses around New Zealand and is still owned and operated by the same family with Albert's grandsons Paul and Keven Snelgrove at the helm.

The first bus was painted grey, the only colour available at the time, and operated as the imaginatively named Grey Bus Service.

When petrol rationing hit because of World War II, the demand for public transport grew along with Albert's bus fleet.

The buses were painted blue and transformed into the Royal Blue Bus Service, also connecting to Featherston as well.

Since it was founded, the family has carried on the business and it's thought Albert's daughter Joan may have been the first female in New Zealand to become a licensed bus driver.

The Gold Award nomination was great news for Tranzit, said Paul Snelgrove, managing director.

"We would not be who we are today without our dedicated staff and four generations of family."

One of Tranzit's successes was gaining a contract for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Mr Snelgrove said there was initially some doubt from organisers.

"They questioned who we were and why a family bus company from Masterton thought they could take on a nationwide sporting event and coincidentally the fourth largest sporting event in the world."

However, the business proved itself gaining the contract to transport teams, VIPs, sports officials and media during the event.

The Gold Awards celebrate business excellence in the Wellington region and winners will be announced on June 19.

Other Wairarapa finalists include Matahiwi Vineyard and Wings over Wairarapa.