New bus service for Tauranga to Auckland

A new bus service running between Tauranga and Auckland twice daily has launched today.

Two weeks after the company carried its first passengers, ManaBus.com has extended and will be traversing the Kaimai Ranges, calling at Hamilton and Manukau on its newest route.

ManaBus.com chief executive Geoff Norman said after two weeks on the road, the team was settling in well.

"We are pleased to extend our service to Tauranga and looking forward to launching in other North Island towns later this month.

"People travelling between the Bay Plenty and Auckland now have the option of being chauffeur-driven, in comfortable coaches with luxury reclining leather seats, free Wi-Fi, at seat power points and air-conditioning, all at really affordable fares."

Around 70 jobs have been created, with most based in regional centres in the North Island, including three people from the Tauranga area.

Mr Norman said the company was quite particular about hiring only those who had both the driving skills and the friendly attitude that ManaBus.com and its sister express coach companies in Poland, Finland and the US were known for.

"Great customer service is what we want ManaBus.com to be known for and we were fortunate to hire some very high calibre drivers and attendants from the Bay of Plenty area.

"We know they will look after customers, and get them to their destinations safely and on time. We're proud of the team that we have assembled."