THE SHOWBUS NEW ZEALAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Manabus.com
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Manabus.com was a division of Souter Holdngs established in late 2014. It was modelled on Stagecoach's Megabus operations started in the UK and spread to the US, Canada and Europe. The low cost intercity express operation was supported by Souter Investment's other operations in Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington - Howick & Eastern, Reesbys and Mana, respectively. New Zealand's pioneering and rival low cost express operation, Nakedbus was acquired and assimilated six months later. In 2018 Souter Investments divested most of its New Zealand bus operations, the Auckland and Wellington operations went to French conglomerate Transdev and Manabus and Reesbys joined Ritchies, the Manabus fleet of Kiwi bodied Volvo B11RT doubledeckers being divid up with TraNZit co-owner of the Inter City express operation.
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 In 2017 the Manabus fleet was at its zenith. Four of the fourteen doubledeckers are seen parked up in Howick's depot. From left to right we have 7 (JLW273), 14 (JTR198), 17 (KEZ541) and 15 (KDS589).
Picture ref A7877 |
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 A few days earlier at the other end of the island 15 was seen at the Mana depot in Wellington. Unlike the other three in Auckland this was one of five capable of conversion from 61 seats to 39 beds for overnight services. The journey from one end of the island to the other is a neatly timed overnight run.
Picture ref B8391 |
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 Taupo, on the lake of the same name, is a convenient half way point for the Auckland - Wellington service. It is a good stop for refreshments and is used by the competing Inter City services, who have several feeder services feed into the north-south express. Volvo 9 (JPH24) is seen here on its break.
Picture ref B8520 |
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 Volvo 9 is seen again in Hamilton two days later, note the dualf Nakedbus.com branding. Unlike Inter City Manabus uses kerbside stops avoiding departure fees at bus stations to keep costs down.
Picture ref B8600 |
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