Souter Investments
is one of the UK’s leading family investment offices specialising in private equity

ManaBus.com & Nakedbus.com

ManaBus.com & Nakedbus.com

Vintage: October 2014

Exit Date: July 2018

Sector: Transport

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Type: Start-up, Acquisition

Souter Role: Lead Investor, Majority Stake

Souter Director: No

Status: Realised

ManaBus.com was an internet based intercity express coach operator offering great value travel to 128 destinations across New Zealand to over 300,000 passengers per annum.

Souter Investments launched the start-up in October 2014 with state of the art double deck coaches incorporating leather seats, free Wi-Fi, power charging points, air conditioning and an on-board toilet.  ManaBus.com was a pioneer of low cost travel in New Zealand by utilising its dynamic pricing model to offer tickets from NZD 1 (plus booking fee).

In April 2015, ManaBus.com acquired the business and assets of NakedBus.com, another low cost bus operator which had a complementary tourist offering and cross selling network of sightseeing packages and hotels.  

In July 2018, ManaBus.com and NakedBus.com were sold to Ritchies Transport Holdings.

Related post: Sir Brian Souter Acquires Naked Bus In New Zealand