Austerity Bus

The Department of Road Transport and Tramways were able to obtain 61 Ford FCB 194 chassis between 1943-1945 from America and Canada. The buses are built to cope with extremely heavy loadings.

Arrangements were made with a local body builder of Newtown, to construct ‘Austerity’ bodies to DRTT specifications. These were timber frames, with metal sheeting up to window level, wooden window frames and a canvas roof. Upholstered perimeter seating was provided for 26 passengers with approval for 28 standing.

‘1756’ is one of the 61 Ford ‘Austerity’ buses and is preserved today at the Sydney Bus Museum as part of their ‘Sydney Buses During WWII’ Exhibition, part funded by a Transport Heritage Grant in 2015. The bus remains in operational condition, however it rarely sees use on the road.