About Michael Boyton

Welcome to our website for "On The Bus" and I appreciate that you are here reading this.

I'll be quite open; I like old English buses, Leylands and AECs, which were the buses that I grew up with in Wellington and my home 'village' of Eastbourne around the other side of Lambton Harbour (Wellington). I cannot tell you why; its sort of inculcated inside. A very early memory for me is catching the Eastbourne bus home from kindergarten (aged 4) most days; the 2.30pm bus, same vehicle (No.2) and same driver "Mr.Snelgrove", and I was allowed to stand alongside the driver to work the bus door control to let people in and out. In later times I found that this bus was a 1954 Leyland Tiger Cub.

I worked in the life insurance industry in Wellington and Auckland for close to 30 years, and upon being 'let go' during the third corporate takeover in four years, thought 'I have wanted to drive a bus since I was this high (demonstrating the height of a 5-year old). Having held a heavy traffic driver licence for many years, I joined the staff of Newlands Coach Service in 2001 as a bus driver, working urban services in north Wellington and the city. Within 3 years I was appointed as 'Lead Driver' at the substantial depot and became responsible for training and mentoring new and other drivers. It was at this time that I met our bus "Leonard". Leonard 44 and his brother 45 were two of my favourites. I finished my secondary career with Newlands/Mana Coach as Depot Supervisor in Porirua East, responsible for the daily running of a depot of some 45 drivers and over 50 buses and coaches.

Upon moving from Wellington to Tasman in 2007 to live, I have been driving buses for local operators, and determined that it was now time to work on our own account, but with a difference. Hence the older good condition vehicles that have character, fun and memories. We have named all of our buses and they do have their own personalities.

Our charter bus service works on the premise of 'Safe, On-time and courteous personal delivery'. We will go the extra mile (pun intended!) to ensure that your business with us leaves you with a smile on your face.