Our history
A long way: From the start with horse and carriage to a modern company with a large own fleet of buses and over 250 motivated employees. Here you can find out more about the 90-year history of Elite Traffic GmbH.
1928
Foundation
The company “Elite Reisen” is founded and even starts with horse-drawn carriages in the beginning.
1945
First service line
Elite-Reisen operates on the important Hamburg-Cologne-Hamburg line.
1945
1949
First tourist traffic
Deutsche Bahn is blocking the line to/from Cologne. New line: Feldstraße-Volksparkstadion, this will later be taken over by Hamburger Hochbahn.
At the same time, Elite Reisen starts to build up its travel operations, initially with a coach. During the construction of the landing bridges in the port of Hamburg, Elite Reisen secures and operates the company’s transport there.The ’50s
Factory traffic
Elite-Reisen runs the complete works traffic for ESSO.
The ’50s
1954
Growth
The coach fleet grows to three vehicles. The only destination – Lerbach in the Harz Mountains – is constantly fully booked. The later trips to Melsungen are similarly sought after.
50s / 60s
Coffee trips
Elite-Reisen offers the extremely popular coffee trips.
50s / 60s
1986
The Bergedorf depot
Elite-Reisen has so far been based exclusively at Mühlendamm in Hamburg- Hohenfelde. Now an additional depot is being opened in Hamburg-Bergedorf.
Until 2000
Expanding the range of services
The bus fleet grows to 32 vehicles. Elite-Reisen expands the range of offers and, in addition to coffee trips, also offers many destinations in coach transport as well as coach hire.
Until 2000
2004
Name change
The company Schäfer Traffic from Glinde participates 100% in Elite Travel. A new company is created, which is renamed “Elite Traffic GmbH” as a subsidiary of the Swedish bus company Bergkvarabuss AB. The vehicle fleet continues to grow steadily until today – to almost 100 vehicles, consisting of various coaches, regular service buses, midi and minibuses. Elite Traffic continues to expand with approximately 140 employees.
2007
Contract with the city of Hamburg
Elite Traffic is awarded a contract by the Hanseatic City of Hamburg to provide school and disabled transport in 23 vehicles.
2007
2009
Opening of Schwarzenbek depot
A further depot with 30 employees and 19 vehicles will be opened in Schwarzenbek in September. From here, only journeys – mainly in Schleswig-Holstein – will be made on scheduled services. These journeys alone add up to an impressive 1.2 million line kilometres per year.
2010
Ground-breaking ceremony in Bergedorf
Elite Traffic continues to expand by purchasing a neighbouring plot of land in Hamburg Bergedorf. In the same year, the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new company building with a modern wash hall, spacious workshop, bright and attractive office floor and the construction of new parking spaces takes place.
2010
2013
Ceremonial inauguration
The new depot is officially opened. This lays the foundation for effective and future-oriented further development in all areas of the company.
2014
Expanding of long-distance scheduled services
Long-distance scheduled services are being expanded. New and modern coaches are added.
2014
2018
90 years anniversary
Elite Hamburg celebrates its 90th anniversary; with now 200 employees and a fleet of over 140 vehicles.
2019
Back in family ownership
Göran Mellström buys the company from the Swedish parent company Mekka Traffic. With over 230 employees and more than 170 vehicles, Elite Traffic is now once again a 100% owner-managed family business. The company now also presents itself online at www.elitebus.de in a completely new look.
2019