Real Journeys Purchases Queenstown/Milford InterCity Franchise From PTL Route Services
Real Journeys has purchased the Queenstown/Milford InterCity Group franchise from PTL Route Services.
From February 1, 2007, Real Journeys will operate the daily Newmans Coach Lines Services to Milford Sound ex Queenstown
and Te Anau. PTL Route Services will continue to operate the Newmans and InterCity Coach Lines services from
Christchurch – Mount Cook – Queenstown and Queenstown - Franz Joseph.
Real Journeys has also purchased one glass-topped Newmans Coach, currently operated by PTL Route Services, as part of
the deal. The Newmans Milford Sound service is part of the national tourist network of Newmans Coach Lines. Newmans
Coach Lines is owned by InterCity Group (NZ) Limited which operates a national transport network of 140 services per day
to 600 towns, cities and communities.
“We’re delighted to be on board. This deal will help to ensure the continued operation, quality and growth of Newmans’
Coach Lines national tourism network, products and services,” said Dave Hawkey, CEO of Real Journeys Limited.
“Furthermore, Real Journeys and Newmans can code-share during low season months, which has positive benefits both
commercially and environmentally. It will also allow Real Journeys to further leverage the national Newmans’ and
InterCity networks which collectively carry 1.5 million passengers a year – 500,000 of which are international
visitors,” he said.
Real Journeys will continue to operate its fleet of renowned bullet coaches from Queenstown to Milford Sound to connect
with its vessel operations, branded as Real Journeys.
PTL Route Services will close its travel centre in Queenstown. The InTouch booking centre in Queenstown will become the
base for the Newmans/InterCity services.
Real Journeys operates world-class tourism products in Queenstown, Fiordland and Stewart Island. Like PTL Route Services
and InterCity Group, Real Journeys is a New Zealand owned and operated private company.
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