Public transit drivers from across the state gathered in Fergus Falls to compete in the 30th annual Minnesota Bus Roadeo hosted by the Minnesota Public Transit Association July 14 and 15.
Metro Bus Dial-a-Ride drivers Todd DeZurik and David Peacock took first and second respectively in the small bus division, which had 38 competitors. Fixed Route drivers Jerry Schmitz and Mike Keller placed fourth and fifth in the large bus division, which had 11 competitors.
Because DeZurik placed first at the state level, he earned a chance to represent Metro Bus at the national level in 2018. DeZurik placed first in the nation last month at the National Community Transit Roadeo.
The Bus Roadeo is a chance for drivers in both Fixed Route and Dial-a-Ride divisions to showcase their driving skills. Drivers are scored on navigating through a timed obstacle course of orange road cones, testing various real life driving scenarios.