Historical information

The photograph documents the former U.S. Bus Lines, a bus and coach company formed in Monbulk in 1921. They offered a total of six routes across outer eastern Melbourne under contract with Public Transport Victoria, including services to Olinda, Belgrave South, Dandenong to Belgrave, as well as Melbourne to Emerald to Dandenong. U.S. Bus Lines was acquired by Ventura Bus Lines in December 2009.

Significance

The record is historically significant as it features the U.S. Bus Lines which previously provided scheduled bus and coach services across the Dandenong foothhills. It provides insight into modes of travel used across Emerald, Gembrook, and other outer eastern Melbourne regions. This significance is further enhanced by the provenance of the record: the photograph was donated by a former bus driver with U.S. Bus Lines.

Physical description

Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper. This photograph depicts a stationary U.S. bus, possibly parked on an unsealed gravel or grassy road. There is a small shed in the background on the left hand side of the image. Also visible is a wire fence with wooden planks, trees and an open field.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
U . S /
128 A 10 /
128 /
VIC DL 569 /

Reverse:
JOB6673 5 of 5 /
VEMUP0961.3 /