The East Bay’s finest bus operators and mechanics earned serious bragging rights at AC Transit’s Local Bus Roadeo. Bus operators navigated a 40-foot bus through a ten-station obstacle course. Mechanic teams had the pressure of a ticking clock while analyzing and troubleshooting engine and transmission defects in addition to performing diagnostics on air brakes, vehicle inspections, electronics, and heating and cooling systems.
A 36-year veteran of AC Transit, Jesse Dela Cruz nabbed top coach operator honors, while the maintenance team of Sean Burr, Kenneth Taylor, and Alvin Tan from the District’s Hayward division swept first place in the mechanic competition.
“The Roadeo is known as the ‘Olympics of Transit,’” stated AC Transit Board of Directors President Chris Peeples. “The competition is fierce and the stakes are high. Under immense pressure, our most talented employees rise to the occasion.”
Adrian McFarland and Steve Armijo, Jr., rounded out the bus operator contest, placing second and third, respectively. Other winners in the maintenance competition included the Emeryville division team of Ryan Mah, Fred Phang and Arthur Bonifacio in second place; with Miguel Lopez, Xavier Ochoa and Victor Pierson of the East Oakland division placing third.
General Manager Michael A. Hursh expressed his appreciation for the challenges front-line transit professionals face daily. “It’s not easy to navigate a bus through a real-life obstacle course of cars, pedestrians, bicyclists and construction zones, all while safely transporting our customers to their destinations,” said Hursh. “And our mechanics expertly diagnose and repair complex pieces of equipment, further ensuring the safety and reliability of our 585 buses.”
The top performing maintenance team and two highest-scoring bus operators will advance to the American Public Transportation Association’s International Bus Roadeo to be held in Charlotte, N.C., in May.
