Johnstons Coachlines Ltd - Auckland - TR Group Ltd

This is a historic listing of vehicles owned and operated by Johnstons Coachlines Ltd - Auckland - TR Group Ltd.

Johnston's Coachlines was a tourism-based bus company with depots in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. The company had many owners over the years including Auckland Transport Holdings Ltd, Corporate Investments Ltd, Tourism Holdings Ltd and TR Group Ltd. The company was finally sold to Go Bus Transport Limited in September 2016, however, Johnston's still retains its own brand and division.

History
● 1926: Johnston’s Blue Taxis Limited was established.
● 1926 to 1930: Johnston’s Blue Taxis Limited became ‘Johnston’s Blue Motors Limited’ (JBML) & began sightseeing tours in Titirangi, Auckland.
● 1946: The airport service was introduced at Whenuapai Airbase
● 1960's: Early 1960’s – JBML was acquired by Auckland Transport Holdings Limited. The distinctive blue livery was removed & instead vehicles sported a rather bleak combination of cream & brown. Late 1960’s – JBML began coach tours around the whole of the North Island
● 1970's: Early 1970’s – The coaching side of JBML was sold to Midlands Coachways Limited (a well-established coaching business in the South Island). The airport service remained as a part of ATHL. Late 1970’s – Coaching side acquired by South Pacific Travel Limited. The livery returned to the distinctive blue & white. The Airporter brand was established (later renamed airbus).
● 1980's: Early 1980’s – The coach division was reintroduced in the North Island. 1986 – Re-entered the South Island Tour Market by purchasing 4 coaches from Pacific Tourways. The coach division was split from JBML & the name was changed to Johnston’s Coachlines Limited.
● 1990's: JCL was sold to ‘Corporate Investments’ the owners of Newman’s. They continued to operate as separate brands. Later, Corporate Investments divested the coach operation and introduced a helicopter line. JCL became their lead brand and Newman’s disappeared. The Helicopter Line was then renamed 'Tourism Holdings' & Mt Cook Landlines merged with JCL. THL purchases JBML (airport services) & renamed the airporter ‘airbus’
● 2007: THL ran one of the largest operations in NZ with 140 coaches and in that year was sold to TR Group.
● 2016: 1 September, TR sold JCL to Go Bus Transport Limited.