SEPTA king of the ‘roadeo’ bound for international bus-driving competition [video]
Fifty SEPTA bus drivers put their skills to the test in the annual Bus Roadeo.
Bus operators and mechanical staff navigated obstacle courses and solved timed technical challenges. The winners will represent SEPTA at the 2016 International Bus and Maintenance Roadeo in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May.
The action played out in front of a crowd including SEPTA employees, family and friends, who cheered the operators on while enjoying food and activities, including face-painting, a moon bounce and a dunk tank.
This year’s grand champion, Zenon John Rinylo, has been a SEPTA driver for 37 years and went to his first international competition in 1988 in Montreal.
“It’s given me a goal to strive for, a reason to stay out of trouble,” said Rinylo. “So I work at doing the best I can to not have accidents, to be alert, aware and practice safe driving skills and habits, which is what this is all about.”
SEPTA’s teams have won several international awards over the years.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.