ABOUT US

Murphy Bus Lines is celebrating over 79 years in business.

The Tradition Continues

Murphy Bus Lines is celebrating over 79 years in business. Serving the counties of Huron, Middlesex, Oxford, Perth counties and the City of London. In 1946 Joe and Tom Murphy were approached by the Clinton District Board. They built a man made bus out of a Pepsi truck and began the safe operation of busing. Today the company which operates over 300 school vehicles, is operated by the third generation, Kyle, Michelle and Rob Murphy.

Our company is built on generations of students and our long term employees. When you join our team, you become family, .said Rob Murphy, Vice President. Each and everyday we take care of your children.

Murphy History – Chronological



1945   In 1945 after WWII, the Murphy brothers opened a White Rose service station near the main corner in Clinton. (Huron St.). Joe served as an officer at Malton and Tom an aircraft mechanic at Sky Harbour near Goderich. Tom was also a pilot. As was the rule “You Fix It, You Fly It”. Both were Class “A” auto mechanics.
1946 In 1946 the Ontario government wanted to ensure all students could attend High School, so the brothers started busing in Stanley and Goderich townships for the Clinton High School. The first run in 1946 had 14 students and the bus had a Murphy Body on a GMC chassis.
1947 In 1947 the first REO was purchased (built in Toronto, ON) and the GMC was retired. A new yard, and garage was started at 64 Huron St. Each year another REO was added until 1954 when a Fargo with a Wayne Body was purchased as Chrysler entered the Bus Market
1960 Mike Murphy starts driving.
1958 Tom and family moved to Arva as HOBBS Bus Line was purchased, (16 buses). Medway and London routes. J. & T. Murphy Limited is formed.
1963 Hyde Park property purchased.
1964 Lucan Depot, on Market St., in Lucan, ON, is established to support elementary and Medway routes
1965 Arva shop is destroyed by fire.
1966 Paul Murphy starts.
1971 Arva Office constructed.
1971 Perth Coach Lines, buses and property purchased to support routes in Perth (12 routes).
1974 New Yard in St. Marys started.
1975 Sold Chrysler-Plymouth-Fargo Dealership in Clinton. (In the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s the dealership sold Hudson, Austin, Jeep, and Chrysler products along with Oliver and International farm equipment.)
1978 Tom, Mike & Paul are owners of J. & T. Murphy Limited.
1980 Purchase Kennedy United Bus Lines of Ailsa Craig. Clinton Shop rebuild started.
1983 Purchased Muxlow Bus of Parkhill.
1985 Seaforth purchased from United Trails (Habkirk).
1986 Boyes Farm Equipment property purchased near Seaforth.
1987 Michelle Murphy joins us.
1988 New Yard (current location) in Lucan established on William St. Market St. property sold.
1990 Purchased McClinchy Buses in Blyth.
1996 Rob Murphy joins us.
1998 Kyle Murphy joins us.
1999 Purchased Earl’s Taxi of Centralia.
2001 Purchased Montgomery, buses & property, in Stratford.
2002 Purchased Hullett Bus Lines, buses, and property (Mitchell & Blyth).
2003 Purchased routes in Exeter from First Student.
2003 Sold Stratford Routes to First Student.
2009 Winthrop Bus Lines purchased.
2013 Scruton Bus Lines, of Dublin, purchased.
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2024 Today the Company is operated by Tom Murphy's Family Michael, Joanne, Paul, Michelle, Rob and Kyle.