Historical Commercial Vehicle Association

The Historic Commercial Vehicle Association (HCVA) was formed in 1964 by a small group of people that had an interest in road transport commercial vehicles. The Association became a not for profit Co - Operative in September 1976. Since then, our ranks have grown and the HCVA now operates the Sydney Bus Museum from the former Tempe tram depot.

Our Aims

To operate a museum interpreting, preserving and operating commercial vehicles and their heritage in all aspects,

To compile a history of public or commercial vehicles,

To collect, compile, publish and/or sell records, badges, books, magazines, models, photographs or any other matter or thing connected with or relating to public or commercial vehicles, past, present or future,

To locate, acquire or restore any public or commercial vehicle,

To provide a meeting place for those interested in public or commercial vehicles

To provide facilities to exchange news and views related to public or commercial vehicles

To take part in any rally, tour, exhibition, public activity or event.

The Museum

In recognition of the earlier activities, the State Government in 1986 made available the former Tempe tram depot to the HCVA. The purpose was to establish a working museum, storage and work site, so that buses and trucks could be restored. The threat that many elderly exhibits would simply rust away has been removed. The museum was opened to the public in late 1986. Thus the Sydney Bus Museum was born and immediately became a community organization. The exhibits housed at Tempe are a unique collection of our history and the concept is truly a hands on working museum.

Address: 
1b Gannon St , Tempe NSW 2044, Australia
Tel: 
+61 02 9558 1234
+61 02 9567 0842
Hours: 
WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

10am - 3pm
Website: 
http://www.busandtruckmuseum.org.au/
Email: 
info@sydneybusmuseum.com
Admission: 
Adult $10.00 Children/Concessions $5.00 Family Ticket $20.00
Facilities: 
The Museum is housed in the former Tempe tram depot. In 1912 the population of the southern suburbs of Sydney expanded rapidly and the existing tramways could not keep up with the demand. In September of that year that a tram depot was opened at the site. During its operational life, the 'castle like' structure of Tempe tram depot housed over a hundred tramcars. It is a fine example of Edwardian industrial architecture. The depot's trams plied over the Cooks River Line (just to south of the tram depot), the Earlwood Line, the line to Dulwich Hill and the Canterbury line. All these lines converged at Newtown bridge and then to the City and Circular Quay via Broadway, Pitt, Hay, Castlereagh Streets. These services were known as the "Green Lines" as the destination signs for these services were green. Tempe Depot operated until November 1954 when all the remaining trams were transferred to Newtown Depot. The area at the front of the depot building was converted to a bus depot by September 1957. Trams ceased to run from on the "Green Lines" 28th September 1957. Tempe Depot, which had a fleet of 41 buses, closed as an operating depot in January 1992. Such an old building requires regular maintenance, particularly the roof, which has seen better days. A great deal of money has been expended and the need for support in this area will continue.
Collection: 

There are over 90 vehicular exhibits at the museum. A majority are positioned for public viewing and many are in running condition. The oldest bus is a 1924 Ruggles and the oldest truck is a 1914 Leyland RAF. The newest bus is a 1978 Mercedes Benz O305 and the newest truck is a 1975 Leyland Buffalo. A number of exhibits are also stored offsite. There is also a large number of non-vehicular exhibits relating to public and commercial vehicles at the museum. Our Archives hold many historic documents and other items which help interpret our vehicular exhibits. The acquisition, restoration and disposal of exhibits is controlled to ensure that our public and commercial vehicle heritage will be secure long into the future.