100 years of Canberra Public Transport: 1936-1945

Government-operated public transport commenced in Canberra in July 1926 as the “City Omnibus Service”. During 2026, ACT Bus will be looking back at some of the vehicles which have been used over those years.

In 1936, the purchase of AEC Diesel buses would continue. CO-25 was an AEC Mercury four-cylinder diesel fitted with a Syd Wood body for use as the Cotter River school bus. A further 20 diesel-powered AEC Regals (also with Syd Wood bodies) were acquired up to 1940.

The Canberra Fleet by 1940 consisted of 2 or 3 Commers, 7 petrol-powered AEC Regals, 21 diesel-powered Regals and an AEC Mercury school bus. However, World War II prevented any further buses being supplied from AEC in England and so 6 diesel-powered Ford “Hercules” chassis were acquired, with Austerity bodies built by Syd Wood.

Images:

Further reading:

• Early History: Part 2 – Expansion in the 1930s and the first diesels
• Top 15 Buses – AEC Regal