The International Bus Roadeo includes competition events for both bus operators and bus mechanics. Awards are given in each practice area and there is an overall grand prize for the transit system with the highest combined score for the bus operator and bus maintenance team. The competition takes place the Sunday prior to APTA’s Bus and Paratransit Conference. Roadeo activities begin on the Friday before the conference with an orientation and culminate on Tuesday night at the Roadeo Banquet.
The Roadeo Committee’s goals are to provide the most equitable competition possible, encourage the highest degree of professionalism in bus operators and mechanics, and build camaraderie among all those who compete. Through sportsmanship and pride of work, the APTA International Bus Roadeo stands as a symbol of the important role bus operators and mechanics play in providing transit’s customers with safe, reliable service.
The 264 Bus Maintenance Roadeo Team from the MBTA had quite a good showing at the 2016 International Bus Roadeo in Charlotte NC. They went on to win 1st place in the “Cummins Diesel/ Voith Transmission” event and finished 8th overall. The 264 members are (from left to right in white shirts): Dave Kwapis (maintenance instructor) and machinists Mike Maguire, Pete Mandile, and Mike Haywood. Congratulations to the guys!
