16 January 2026
Go Bus has expanded its South Island operations following Kinetic New Zealand’s acquisition of Golden Bay Coachlines, a long-established passenger transport operator serving communities across Golden Bay / Mohua and the wider Nelson–Tasman region. The business will now operate as Go Bus Golden Bay.
Services will continue without interruption, with the same drivers, vehicles, routes and depots remaining in place. By retaining the local team, the transition provides continuity and confidence for schools, families, and the wider community.
Golden Bay Coachlines has been part of the region for more than 40 years, currently operating 19 school bus routes on behalf of the Ministry of Education, alongside scheduled services between Tākaka and Nelson and charter services supporting both locals and visitors. Depots in Tākaka and Murchison will remain central to ongoing operations.
Kinetic New Zealand Managing Director, Calum Haslop, says the focus is firmly on people and continuity.
“Golden Bay Coachlines has built a trusted operation over decades, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through Go Bus. The same drivers, the same local knowledge, and the same commitment to safe, reliable transport remain in place, supported by the scale, expertise and long-term investment of Kinetic.”
Michael Bickley, outgoing owner of Golden Bay Coachlines, says joining Go Bus ensures the business’s values and community focus continue.
“This business has always been about serving our communities well, and that won’t change. Joining Go Bus gives our team security and new opportunities, while ensuring customers continue to receive the service they know and trust. I’m proud of what we’ve built over the past four decades, and I’m confident Go Bus and Kinetic will maintain that same commitment to the region.”
The acquisition strengthens Go Bus’s presence across the top of the South Island and reflects a shared commitment to reliable, locally delivered public transport.
Golden Bay Coachlines will officially operate as Go Bus Golden Bay from Monday, 19 January 2026, ahead of the first school term.
