RTS Bus Operators Show Off their Skills at RTS Bus ‘Road’eo

RTS Bus Operators representing RTS, RTS Access and seven regional subsidiaries will compete in the annual RTS Bus Roadeo, on Saturday, June 13. The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Lot G, Monroe Community College. (The event is not open to the public.)

The event features RTS employees in a competition that tests their ability to maneuver buses as large as 40-feet and weighing 14 tons. Bus Operators must perform 15 sharp driving maneuvers within seven minutes or risk losing points. The marked course simulates various situations encountered on the road. Winners are announced from two categories, Big Bus (40-feet and larger) and Little Bus (20-feet, typically operated by RTS Access and RTS regional subsidiaries). 

Winners will compete at State Roadeo

Transit organizations throughout the United States and Canada stage annual roadeos, with winners going on to state and international contests. This year, the RTS will host the N.Y. State competition which will be held in Rochester on Sep. 26. The location will be announced at a later date.

Among operators who have won at both the state and international levels, RTS Bus Operator Maurice Hebert stands out for winning the N.Y. State competition, held in Syracuse in 2014. Maurice also took home top honors at RTS’ Roadeo in 2014. Maurice operates a standard 40-foot bus. In 2014, the Small Bus category winner was RTS Genesee Bus Operator Marlene Jones.

To learn more about transit industry bus roadeos, visit the American Public Transportation Association’s Website at www.apta.com/mc/busroadeo/.