Riding steel horses
CDTA drivers showcase skills in annual Bus Roadeo
ALBANY, N.Y. » Local bus drivers competed in the Capital District Transportation Authority’s 32nd annual Bus Roadeo on Thursday, taking on a rigid, scored and timed obstacle course.
CDTA hosted the competition in the University at Albany’s Dutch Quad parking lot, which was set up with 13 different challenges for its drivers to conquer. Each obstacle simulated a driving challenge operators would normally encounter out on the road, such as driving through a narrow space, backing into a tight spot or making a sharp turn.
“Basically, that’s what the competition is all about,” said participant Eddie Pagan, a Troy area operator who has been with CDTA for 21 years. “It’s like everyday driving.”
More than 30 CDTA drivers from the Troy, Albany and Schenectady areas participated, chosen for having outstanding safety and attendance records, as well as a willingness to take on the challenge. Participants had the opportunity to see the course and walk along it Wednesday night, but were not allowed to drive it.
Competitors were judged and scored at each obstacle by CDTA representatives and local law enforcement officials, who volunteered their time to assess contestants’ driving skills, knowledge of safety rules and time. The three top finishers fwill represent CDTA at the statewide Roadeo in the fall, with finalists there having the opportunity to compete in the International Roadeo next spring.
“Yes, it’s a competition, but it’s a really fun day for everybody to come out and enjoy the weather, enjoy each other’s company and just have a good time,” said CDTA communications manager Jaime Watson. “It’s fun, and to test their skills.” This tradition started locally in 1985, with Pagan first competing 20 years ago. He remembered he was nervous the first time he took part.
“My first time doing it in 1997, yeah, I was sweating,” ,” recalled Pagan, a Cohoes resident. “I took out all the cones, and I was upset, but I’ve learned, and now, I just take my time and just follow the course.”
Pagan’s performance has greatly improved over the years, he said, placing 16th, 11th and 10th in recent competitions, so his goal Thursday was to get into the top 10.
Pagan said the tennis ball obstacle is the hardest for him. The balls are laid out precisely along the route and bus tires must roll between them without knocking them out of place. This year, that was the first obstacle on the course.
“It’s kind of tricky, so we’ve just got to do our best,” said Pagan, who regularly drives the Route 224 bus between Troy, Rensselaer and Albany.
Pagan said the obstacles are comparable to challenges he often faces along his route.
“It’s basically like you’re on the road, like you’re just driving on the road every day,” he said, although he admitted it’s less stressful to weave around cones and barrels than people on the street.
Pagan said that after all these years, he still likes his job and looks forward to waking up each day to drive.
“It’s fun,” he said.