Well-known Laois bus driver retires after 25 years

A well-known Laois bus driver is retiring after 25 years in business.

Rathdowney man Michael Fitzpatrick, owner of Fitz’s Bus Hire, recently announced his retirement and the closure of his business.

Mr Fitzpatrick is known across the county, having bussed Laois people from concerts, matches, Debs’ and school trips.

First opening his business in 2000, Mr Fitzpatrick told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that he had no idea he would be in business for so many years.

“I never thought I would be doing it this long, I had started it by accident,” Mr Fitzpatrick explained.

“I didn’t drink and lads would ask me to drive them home from the pub. We had a local Garda who told me to get a hackney licence, and then it moved on from the hackney to the bus about two or three years later. It’s been 25 years since,” he said.

“I’ve done everything, from schools, GAA trips and nightclubs, I would know every nightclub in Leinster I’d say,” he laughed.

We had school runs to St Fergal’s College and Scoil Bhríde in Rathdowney, but the discos were my first ventures,” Mr Fitzpatrick explained.

“I have to say, the people that I carried from Rathdowney were always very respectful, never once was I blaggarded,” he said.

“They were so quiet you’d have to check them- they’d be more likely to fall asleep than to cause any trouble,” he laughed.

Before opening his bus company, Mr Fitzpatrick worked in the textile factory in Rathdowney for over 22 years. 

“The textile factory closed in 1993, then I was doing odd jobs. Over 24 years ago we had one bus, we had five in the end,” he said.

Mr Fitzpatrick found that the business has changed drastically over the years, with more paperwork and inspections involved.

“The inspections these days are no harm,” he said.

“I was very lucky that I had good drivers, and my niece Linda Hayes was brilliant for looking after us. 

“That was the business at the time, and it was a good business. We had great customers. I’ve retired now and I still have people ringing me looking to hire coaches,” he said.

One memory that sticks out to Mr Fitzpatrick is an incident where a bus was turned over several years ago, with some passengers sustaining injuries.

“I will never forget when we had a bus turn over going to Mr O’s one night,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“Thankfully no one was killed, but a few people were hurt. It happened on an Easter Saturday night, that was over 15 years ago now,” he said.

With his 80th birthday approaching this year, Mr Fitzpatrick found that it was the best time for him to retire.

“I thought I would miss it, but I don’t now,” he said.

“The business had dropped down to one bus, and I had to make a decision whether I would change the bus or give it up. I am 80 this year, so I didn’t want any more pressure.

“I enjoyed it, but I won’t miss it. I have plenty of things to do in my retirement,” he said. 

Mr Fitzpatrick explained that when running a bus hire business, you are constantly under pressure.

“You’re under pressure the whole time, and you are constantly clock watching.

“You worry if a bus might break down, you can’t have buses breaking down if you're doing airport work or school runs,” he said.

“I enjoyed it, fairly well. You could come home from a night around four o’clock in the morning, and as you’re pulling in home you hear a lad in the back of the bus snoring,” he laughed. 

“We always had a policy where we would never leave anyone stuck, we would bring them home no matter what time it was or where they were living.”

“I enjoyed it, but I won’t miss it. I have plenty of things to do in my retirement,” he said.

“I want to thank the people of Rathdowney and surrounding areas who have supported me over the years, we really had great customers,” Mr Fitzpatrick finished.