New CEO Sees Technology as Key to Future

InterCity
COACHLINES
the best way to get around New Zealand
For immediate release:
14 March 2005

New CEO Sees Technology as Key to Future

Malcolm Johns has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd, New Zealand's only national land based passenger transport operator. Johns has been the Group’s GM of Sales and Services since February 2004, and his CEO appointment is effective from 1 March 2005. Johns succeeds David Strange who has been with the Group for 14 years, and CEO since 1996, retiring at the end of February.

On appointment Johns said that their mission is to drive a customised transport solution on an individual basis using technology and the power of New Zealand's largest daily land transport network. Intercity Group owns and operates Intercity Coachlines and Newmans Coach Lines. "We operate 120 services a day linking 600 towns, cities and communities across New Zealand and we operate over 1 million passenger sectors a year. Our strategy enhances the appeal and reinforces the importance of long distance public transport in New Zealand and will lock in continued growth and prosperity for the Group", explained Johns.

"We operate on two very distinct levels", Johns explained. "The basis of the business is about linking communities, rural and urban, with economic, reliable passenger transport options. The second level is about driving New Zealand's tourist transport network. Newmans is one of New Zealand's largest daily tourist transport networks operating at a premium level and the Group has invested heavily over recent years in hardware, systems, products, onshore and offshore marketing".

"Budget airlines will continue to bring our target groups to New Zealand and move them between 3 or 4 main centres, but we can get them to 600 towns and cities every day, and we can deliver them to the doorstep of our major tourist attractions" continued Johns. "Other land-based passenger transport operators have been reducing their networks over recent years; we have increased our coverage and expanded our operations over the same period with new and innovative products and services. Innovative products we've recently introduced include: Flexi-Pass where travellers manage their own travel online any time of day or night, and special promotional fares, Auckland - Wellington, Picton - Christchurch and Picton - Nelson for $10 per sector.” In addition discounts as high as 50% are offered on a limited basis.

“We have provided direct reservations access for large numbers of our retail agency partners. Many small and rural communities are now online in real time with us. We have also introduced a consumer internet reservations portal for all Group products and services and are planning to introduce the ability for travellers to purchase all Group products and services via txt message on their mobile phones. Technology is playing a huge part in our customers accessing a personalised public transport solution in the manor they wish, when they want to".

"Our products and services target a wide range of travellers. More and more people are looking for public services to meet their individual needs, not the other way around. By delivering this will we broaden our customer base and maximise our future.

The convenience of downtown to downtown or hotel to hotel services are unique, and travel in air conditioned comfort is a stress-free experience, so should every other aspect of what we deliver be", Johns concluded.

Biographical information:

Malcolm Johns was educated at Waihi College and Waikato University (BMS in Accounting and Marketing) and has a solid transportation and tourism industry background. He undertook a Corporate Traineeship with Hyatt Hotels and has worked with the Mount Cook Group, Tourism Holdings, Jasons Travel Media, Discover Holidays NZ and Discover Holidays Canada. Johns is 34 years old, married with two children.

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InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd

14 March 2005

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