Manabus.com

In November last year, my parents used ManaBus.com for the first time on their Whangarei - Auckland return journey and they had a good experience. I then purchased 2 x tickets for my brother and his wife on Christmas Eve last year when they get off their plane from Thailand to connect with your 7.45PM bus from Auckland to Whangarei. During this time both InterCity and Air NZ has special fares on but we were adamant to go on ManaBus due to my parents' very high praise of your company. This was proven to be disappointing as the bus was subsequently cancelled. This resulted in me having to arrange for them to travel on InterCity NZ instead and the special fares advertised was no longer available so we had to pay a much higher fare.

That was my first disappointment with ManaBus but due to the first positive experience my parents had we decide to let it go. I subsequently booked my brother and his wife a 6.15AM Whangarei to Auckland bus on Fri 8 April (arriving 9 AM) to connect their flight to Nelson at Auckland airport on 11.25AM. At the time of booking InterCity and Air NZ also had special fares for the same service but we wanted to give ManaBus another chance. We also purchased a return SkyBus Auckland trip costing us $28 for travel to Airport on the 8 April.

Well, ManaBus this time you really upset me. You emailed me to cancel the bus service on the 8 April. We own a very busy business in Whangarei and I do not have time to drive down to Auckland to pick up/drop off anyone. The earliest Intercity Bus arrive in Auckland at 12 PM which means my brother and his wife would not make it in time for their flight to Nelson. This leaves me no choice but to purchase 2 x Air NZ tickets Whangarei to Auckland, costing me $226 extra, and the $28 I paid to SkyBus would be a waste because we don't get to use it. How could you do this to us two times in a row?

You do state in your email that you wish to apologise for any inconvenience caused. However I am writing to you to let you know that I do not accept your apology. Not after you caused me extra expenses TWICE.....and this time it is $226 extra...that is a lot of money, due to your unprofessional operation. Seriously, what is wrong with your company? If there is a problem with weather, flood, earthquake etc then I can understand. But you just cancel your service for no reason. You do not have any consideration for the consequences of your action, you do not care how much extra expenses your customers would incur. How foolish I am to continue believing in your company and give you another chance after you let me down on Christmas Eve last year, only be let down again...and this time with a hefty extra expense as a nasty surprise! I will never purchase any ManaBus ticket again and will not recommend your company to anyone.

Lots of routes, cheap and great transportation services.

I like Manabus for its price. It is always very cheap, usually cheaper than intercity. Buses are fine and drivers friendly. I like that they operate a later night but from Auckland to Wellington. Makes it easier to travel after work and arrive around 8 am in Wellington.

Great prices on here, they are so cheap - and they have the overnight bus with the sleeper bus. AND FREE WIFI which is perfect.

I use Manabus to travel between Auckland and Whangarei and so far there have been no problems. Drivers are friendly, prices are great and the free wifi is handy for those long trips. The only downside is that the seats aren't very comfortable which doesn't make for the best trip when you're going to be sitting for a few hours.