In the last few decades, cheap flights have revolutionised travel, allowing the public to go great distances in a matter of hours.
But back in the 1940's the primary mode of public transport, even for long distances, was the humble bus.
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A female passenger waits in the luggage hold of a Greyhound bus as people boardCredit: Library of Congress
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Travellers queue for tickets in a busy coach stationCredit: Library of Congress
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A sailor waits on the pavement with a baby, while waiting for a busCredit: Library of Congress
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A cleaner mops the aisle of a Greyhound bus after passengers have disembarkedCredit: Library of Congress
In 1943, American photographer Esther Bubley spent a month photographing the people who travelled across the Midwest and the southern states of the US on the these coaches.
The photo series 'Bus Story', which she worked on while employed at the Office of War Information, spotlighted the role of long-distance bus travel in American life.
The collection of images was published in 1947 and went on to win a number of photography awards.
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The bus driver throws luggage down from the roof of the vehicleCredit: Library of Congress
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A young woman waves goodbye from inside a Greyhound coachCredit: Library of Congress
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A guard takes a break from work, while reading a local newspaperCredit: Library of Congress
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A passenger takes a sneaky nap on a luggage shelfCredit: Library of Congress
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Passengers wait patiently to get off the bus after it arrives at the stationCredit: Library of Congress
The pictures show what life was like on the road for everyone from housewives and army personnel to farm hands.
It also revealed what life was like for the people who worked on the bus network, including the cleaners, drivers, mechanics and ticket salespeople.
Some of the images also serve as a stark reminder of segregation in the US, with separate waiting rooms for passengers based on the colour of their skin.
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An army man catches up on sleep in his seatCredit: Library of Congress
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A group of young men and women share a giggle in the back of the busCredit: Library of Congress
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A young student gazes at the camera as passengers prepare to board a busCredit: Library of Congress
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A young girl stares up into the bus from the pavementCredit: Library of Congress
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A woman hails a passing coach from the side of the roadCredit: Library of Congress
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A baby hangs out of the bus window as the bus prepares to leave the stationCredit: Library of Congress
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An elderly member of staff takes a nap in the station officeCredit: Library of Congress
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A member of staff brings the pillows for night coach passengers through the stationCredit: Library of Congress
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Staff working in the linen closet pose for a pictureCredit: Library of Congress
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A woman and a young boy wait on an empty bus concourse for their rideCredit: Library of Congress
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Locals are pictured watching the bus go by next to the town storeCredit: Library of Congress
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Passengers find their seats on a bus cross-country coachCredit: Library of Congress
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Two men queue for tickets at a coach station boothCredit: Library of Congress
