The Featured Vehicle for November/December 2016 is 203-037 – the MACK Ultra-Liner tow truck
203-037 is a MACK Ultra-Liner tow truck. It was built in 1990 and is the longest-serving vehicle at ACTION.
In April 1990 the need for a replacement tow truck came to a head when workshop staff placed a ban on using the existing UD tow truck which could not safely tow buses over 9.4 tonnes – this included all articulated buses and the new Renault buses.
The MACK tow truck was acquired in late 1990. It was operated by ACTION personnel and was mainly based at Belconnen Depot. In addition to towing ACTION buses, it was also called out for other heavy vehicle recovery jobs in the Canberra region when needed.
The MACK Ultra-Liner was retired as the primary tow truck in March 2024 after over 33 years of service, having been replaced by a Euro VI-compliant Scania R580. However, this vehicle remains with ACTION and may be utilised occasionally.
More images:
Further details:
- “Random, cumulative bans to halt ACTION buses” – Canberra Times article on Trove (10 April 1990)
This page was last updated on 21 June 2024
