long distance Volvo bus

A Volvo B10M of InterCity gets a steam clean at the Masterton Tranzit depot in 1999.

Tranzit Group took over the running of the InterCity Coach network from New Zealand Railways with Ritchies Coachlines in 1992. All the top line coaches were bought by the two private companies and Tranzit initiated the new livery and logo, that of an albatross. The new fresh colour scheme was different for its time, and has since been modified several times.

This bus began life in 1985 with New Zealand Railways Road Services and at that time the type was the most modern on New Zealand roads offering new levels of comfort for long distance services. The only competitor then for comfort was Mount Cook Line with its fleet of Australian built Dennings operating in the South Island. The Newmans Group were also purchased by Tranzit Group in 1994 and many of their fleet became Tranzit. 1045 became the Daylighter with a large cartoon design on the back advertising the service and sister vehicle 1043 was the Starlighter, with similar advertising on the back, both designed by Wallace Trickett while working for Tranzit. It was new technology and an exciting time in the coach industry. 1045 eventually was withdrawn from InterCity service in 2003 and given Magic Backpackers livery, a subsidiary of the company offering cheaper fares for those who have no fixed schedule. (Wallace Trickett)