Telisa Ruan became the first female bus operator in the history of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) Bus Roadeo to win the event during a two-day competition on Feb. 24 and 25 in which 37 Miami-Dade County Metrobus operators and nine bus maintenance technicians competed.
“I thank and commend all participants, not only because of their unwavering commitment to our residents every single day, but also because they love their jobs and public service,” said Eulois Cleckley, director and CEO of the DTPW. “Congratulations to this year’s winners, and especially to Operator Ruan.
The top three winners of the 2023 local Bus Roadeo are:
- First place- Operator Telisa Ruan, a 22-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
- Second place- Kerry Brinson, a six-year DTPW veteran
- Third place- Hulon Gamble, a DTPW rookie with just 25 months of experience in the department
The top three winners in the maintenance challenge are:
- Joefred Tolentino, a 10-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
- Willie Albizu, a four-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
- Gilberto Crespillo, a seven-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
Bus Roadeos offer bus operators and bus maintenance personnel a unique opportunity to engage in competitive activities that test their driving and maintenance skills, respectively. As part of the Bus Roadeo challenge, bus operators were asked to drive through an obstacle course, simulating bus maneuvers that would be made during normal bus operating/driving duties. This is part of the basic Bus Operator’s skills test. Maintenance technicians demonstrated their knowledge and skills in various technical areas.
First place winners received $300, second place winners received $200 and third place winners received $100. DTPW’s winning team will hone their skills and travel to Orlando to compete among the best bus operators and technicians in the state of Florida in the Bus Roadeo State Competition being held March 30 - April 1, 2023.
