No Memphis blues for APTA International Roadeo winners

By Glenn Swain

Seattle-based King County Metro Transit won the Grand Champion Award at the 36th International Bus Roadeo, held May 22 at the American Public Transit Administration’s Bus and Paratransit Conference in Memphis, TN. The Grand Champion recognizes the bus, operator and maintenance team that posted the highest combined score. Valley Metro Transit of San Antonio, TX took second place; third went to the team from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority.

More than 100 of the best bus operators and mechanics competed in the Roadeo. The event showcases the skills, safety and professionalism of bus operators and mechanics and promotes overall excellence in public transportation.

Twenty-seven teams competed in the maintenance competition, which tests mechanics’ abilities to troubleshoot problems and repair them under a time limit. VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio won first place in the maintenance competition; the team from King County Metro earned second place; third place went to the team from the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.

Pablo Perez of Orlando-based LYNX was named North America’s best driver, topping 39 other competitors in the 40-foot bus event. Second went to Donald Tucker of Regional Transit Authority/Veolia Transportation in New Orleans; Michael Grady of King County Metro received third-place honors.