R

Ritchies Transport

Nationwide bus, school, and tour operator

School Bus Driver

Part-TimeUpdated on 10/14/2026
No salary listed
Entry
Takanini, New Zealand
In Person
Vehicle Operation & DeliveryPassenger Transport Driving

About the job

Requirements
  • A full New Zealand Class 2 license (minimum) and a passenger endorsement are required.
  • A strong focus on safety and responsibility is required.
  • Candidates should be friendly and approachable, especially with children.
  • Candidates should be reliable and have good time management.
  • Candidates must be able to work independently.
  • Candidates must pass pre-employment drug testing, Ministry of Justice checks, reference checks, a VCA, and a medical.
Responsibilities
  • Safely transport students to and from school on morning and afternoon runs.
  • Undertake charter work when required.
  • Attend ongoing training or development when required during school holidays.

About the company

Ritchies Transport is a large New Zealand transport operator that runs public transit services, nationwide school bus operations, and tourism charters. It grew from a single Temuka bus in 1935 by acquiring many local bus lines, building a nationwide fleet of over 1,600 vehicles and sustaining a family-owned business for decades. Today, it operates primarily through contracts with cities for public transport, school run networks, and charter work, leveraging its extensive, multi-service fleet. The company differentiates itself by its long history, scale achieved through a series of regional acquisitions, and, since 2021, ownership by KKR with the Ritchie family retaining a stake to preserve continuity and focus on long-term infrastructure and greener transport solutions. The goal is to support New Zealand’s public transport network while accelerating the transition to greener transportation options.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Christchurch, New Zealand

Founded

1935

Get referred to Ritchies Transport

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Ritchies opened Māngere depots in 2025, supporting 102 electric buses and 250 staff.
  • Auckland Transport said 175 new electric buses join west and south Auckland routes by 2026.
  • Ritchies appointed Scott Thorne CEO on 17 August 2026, restoring operational leadership.

What critics are saying

  • KKR's unresolved sale process creates strategic drift after Michele Kernahan's August 2026 exit.
  • Auckland driver assaults and Whangārei rock-throwing incidents expose daily safety and reputational damage.
  • Failing Auckland's electrification rollout would wreck AT trust and end future contract wins.

What makes Ritchies Transport unique

  • Ritchies runs New Zealand's largest bus network, spanning urban, school, charter, and tourism.
  • Auckland Transport's 2025 nine-year, $1.068 billion contract makes Ritchies a dominant urban operator.
  • Zenobē depots and GIRO HASTUS give Ritchies integrated electrification and scheduling capability.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Training Programs
  • Professional Development Budget

Company News

NZ Herald
Sep 28th, 2024
Greenline Motors sold for $19.5M

Allen and Sharon Fretwell, owners of Greenline Motors, sold their bus company to Ritchies for $19.5 million. The Fretwells took over the business in 1991, expanding it to a fleet of 52 buses. Allen, with a background in transport, converted older buses to diesel and documented every transaction. At 73 and facing health issues, Allen decided to sell when approached by KKR on behalf of Ritchies.