(February 29, 2024) – The region’s best Bus Operators will be putting their skills on display at the annual Tampa Bay Area Regional Bus Roadeo and Technology Expo on Sunday, March 10, at the Manatee County Transit Fleet Facility, located at 2411 Tallevast Road.
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) bus operators will compete with regional partners, including Citrus County, Sarasota County Breeze Transit, Pasco County Public Transportation/GoPasco (PCPT), Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). The competition is free and open to the public. The event begins at 8 a.m., with rodeo driving activities underway by 9 a.m.
The bus rodeo tests service delivery operating skills in a series of competitions around a test road course set up with cones, barrels and bus stops. Transit bus maintenance skills are also part of the event, as each agency’s maintenance technician team is evaluated on their overall knowledge and diagnostic skills.
“It’s fun to see professional Bus Operators test their skill and drive these large transit coaches on a very demanding obstacle course,” said MCAT Transit Operations Chief Benita Zarr. “They’re maneuvering a 35-foot-long vehicle weighing over 39,000 pounds, and the skill sets on display are impressive."
One transit agency will be declared the overall winner for the “Best of the Bay” competition. In addition, the first-place transit and paratransit winners from each respective transit agency will advance to the Florida State Five-Star Bus Roadeo in Jacksonville on April 19 to 20, 2024.
The competition will determine the most skilled bus operators and maintenance technicians in the state.
“It will be great to see how our drivers stack up with their fellow operators from around the area,” said Manatee County District 1 Commissioner James Satcher. “Competitions like this bring out the best in everyone, and this a great way to encourage excellence!”
The Manatee County team also plans to use this opportunity to share new and emerging transit technology. MCAT staff will be on hand to explain some of the new and innovative features available on board MCAT buses.