Historical information

This 1941 Reo bus was owned by the Mylon Bus Company in Wodonga. The gas bag was used for fuel to compensate for the shortage of petrol during World War II. The Reo, powered by gas, could run 40 miles on 1,100 cubic feet.
Albury and Wodonga Councils pruned back the trees so the bus could pull into the kerbs without tearing the gas bag, and the Albury Council put in a special gas pipeline to the corner of David Street where the bag could be refilled. Street lights could also cause a problem for the bag's safety.
The driver in this image is Alf Jackson pictured with the Mylon boys, Phillip, David and Bernie.

In 1906 Patrick Mylon started a passenger transport service in the Albury-Wodonga border area with horses and cabs. His son Jack went into business in the late 1920s, and his grandson Bernie joined the firm early in 1970.
When Patrick started with the horses and cabs, each cab carried eight passengers and he always had two horses per cab. As the business expanded, Mylons used a range of buses and coaches including Reo, Chev and Bedford vehicles.

During more than 100 years of service to the Wodonga region and beyond, Mylon Motorways received many awards for Excellence and Tourism.
On 2nd July 2008 the company, including its 31 buses and 45 staff members, were transferred to the Dyson Group.

Significance

This image is significant because it captures innovations made to cope with fuel scarcity during World War II and represents an important Wodonga business.

Physical description

A black and white image of a Reo gas-powered bus owned by Mylon Bus Lines Wodonga. The driver and a group of boys are standing beside the bus.