Five Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority bus operators and two mechanics received honors for their performances in the state championship roadeo competition held during the Tennessee Public Transportation Association Annual Conference last week in Nashville.
The roadeo is a competition among the best operators and mechanics from transit agencies across Tennessee. Competitors traverse driving courses and mechanical issues that test the skill, knowledge, expedience, and safety of those who operate and maintain our vehicles for the public.
Troy Willis, who has been a mechanic with MTA for 12 years, brought home the Big Wrench once again for his victory in the bus maintenance division as well as earning a bragging rights medal for being the first to start the bus. In the van maintenance division, Kyle Kruk, who has been a mechanic with MTA for six years, finished first in the van maintenance competition, earning a Big Wrench award of his own.
In the 35-foot bus division, 14-year veteran Eric Liggett brought home a first-place victory and his Big Wheel award for his performance, and eight-year MTA bus operator Michael Featherston came in third.
In the 40-foot bus division, 14-year veteran Jerome Horton finished first, earning his first Big Wheel Award. Adrell Stringer, who has been a bus operator with MTA for 10 years, finished third.
Joyce Banks, who has been a bus operator with MTA for 11 years, finished second in the cutaway van division, which are vehicles generally operated on MTA’s AccessRide service.
MTA also captured the spirit stick for its great support of its roadeo contestants during the state competition.
Nashville MTA congratulated these mechanics and bus operators for their incredible performances, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to providing safe and reliable service to those who live in Davidson County.
