Kiwi Bus Builders bodied Volvo B11R
ParentInMotion Group
Commenced operation21 November 2014
Ceased operation15 July 2018
HeadquartersAuckland
Service areaNorth Island
Service typeIntercity coach services
Websitewww.manabus.com

ManaBus.com[1] was an intercity coach service operator in New Zealand. The company was owned by Brian Souter's InMotion Group.[2][3] ManaBus and Nakedbus ceased operation on 15 July 2018, with the bus fleets being sold to Ritchies Transport Holdings,[4] part owner of rival coach company InterCity.

History

ManaBus.com commenced operating express coach services on the North Island of New Zealand on 21 November 2014.[5][6] In May 2015 it took over Nakedbus.[7] On 15 July 2018 ManaBus and Nakedbus ceased operation.[8]

Corporate strategy

Advertised fares started at $1 (plus $1.99 booking fee), using a yield management model as employed by sister companies Megabus, OnniBus and PolskiBus.[9][10] ManaBus.com operated at a high load factor using yield management pricing and large double decker buses to keep capital cost per seat and fuel burn per seat at low levels, similar to how airlines operate. Founder Brian Souter believed that bus journeys of up to six hours can compete with air travel.[11]

Services

ManaBus.com operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across the North Island of New Zealand. Key routes include:[12]

  • Auckland - Wellington (day services and a sleeper bus service)
  • Auckland - Whangarei to Paihia
  • Wellington - Palmerston North, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton to Auckland
  • Auckland - Napier
  • Auckland - Whitianga
  • Auckland - Tauranga
  • Auckland - Hamilton
  • Whangarei - Hamilton
  • Whangarei - Rotorua

Fleet

ManaBus.com operated a fleet of Kiwi Bus Builders bodied Volvo B11Rs.[5]

The buses were outfitted with leather reclining seats (or beds in the sleeper bus), air conditioning, toilet, seatbelts and free Wi-Fi.

References

  1. ↑ Companies Office extract company 4961839 Manabus.com Limited
  2. ↑ Companies House extract company no SC432205. Highland Global Transport Limited.
  3. ↑ "New express bus service". The Dominion Post. 29 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Venuto, Damien (21 June 2018). "Fifty jobs on the line as ManaBus and Nakedbus end services". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 Souter launches low-cost NZ express service Archived 2 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 31 October 2014
  6. ↑ ManaBus to launch in North Island TV3 30 October 2014
  7. ↑ Anthony, John (8 May 2015). "ManaBus buys Nakedbus but brands to remain separate". Stuff. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "ManaBus and Naked Bus to cease services in mid-July". TVNZ.
  9. ↑ ManaBus.com Launches Express Coach Service in New Zealand Souter Investments 30 October 2014
  10. ↑ About ManaBus.com ManaBus.com 29 October 2014
  11. ↑ Brian Souter interview Radio New Zealand 18 November 2014
  12. ↑ Timetable ManaBus.com
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