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The chivalrous chauffeur

Anyone who thinks all bus drivers are like Ralph Kramden hasn't met Patrick McKeon. His efficient, polite manner has earned top honors.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published December 2, 2005

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Bus driver Patrick McKeon will pull off the road if he can to give latecomers a chance to make the bus.

He wakes up at 2:30 a.m. so he can finish his shift by the time his teenage sons get out of school.

Nice guys don't always finish last, or go unrecognized. In October, McKeon and his wife, Julie, traveled to Sanibel for what he describes as the Oscars of his 24-year profession, the Florida Public Transit Association's awards ceremony.

He left with a plaque that named him Driver of the Year.

"I got a standing ovation," McKeon said. "I couldn't believe it. There were guys (nominated) that had more miles than me."

McKeon competed against 15 other public transit drivers from around the state. He was the fifth HARTline driver in 12 years to capture the award.

McKeon, 53, might have been struck with nice-guy modesty when he won the big prize. But he's good at what he does, and he's not shy about telling you why. "I'm very consistent. I'm here almost every day. No one has ever gotten hurt on my bus."

He estimates he has been in eight collisions since he started with HARTline in 1981. But none of them were serious, or his fault, he said. "You always want to give the other motorists a lot of courtesy out there. Above all, it's safety and service."

Indeed, HARTline spokeswoman Mary Haban said managers nominated McKeon for the award out of his 344 fellow drivers "based on his outstanding work record and driving record. He's had many, many letters of praise and recognition from customers. His record's just been stellar."

Working the streets has its share of stressful moments.

About 12 years ago, McKeon told a passenger his transfer ticket was invalid. "He went ballistic," McKeon said. "People were telling me he's got a knife in his back pocket."

The passenger rushed McKeon, but when McKeon jumped out of his seat to face him, the man retreated to the back of the bus. He kicked out a back door window and ran away.

Other moments are bittersweet.

About 15 years ago, a regular told McKeon that she hoped to get married. She soon met another passenger, and the two fell in love and married. Not long after, the woman died.

McKeon says he's constantly impressed by the little acts of courtesy his passengers show one another.

The able-bodied offer their seats to the infirm or they help with strollers. People chip in for those short of cash. Just recently, an elderly passenger boarded McKeon's bus, only to learn that his pass had expired. A young downtown worker waiting to board behind him paid the man's fare.

"I've seen that for all these years," McKeon said.

A native of Long Island, N.Y., McKeon moved to Tampa in 1976. He had taken some junior college courses but couldn't decide what to do.

He drove an armored truck and a Canada Dry delivery truck and worked in department stores before becoming a HARTline driver in November 1981.

He plans on staying at the wheel until retirement, maybe in six years, and is showing no signs of weariness.

After pointing out the Million Mile Club sign that's posted above his windshield, McKeon said, "I should be at 2-million in 21/2 years."

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 09:34:11]