Bus Drivers Rustle Up Skills For Roadeo 2009

Bus Drivers Rustle Up Skills For Roadeo 2009

New Zealand’s top bus drivers are busy perfecting their manoeuvring skills, revising road theory and swotting up on bus mechanics in preparation for this year’s Bus Roadeo.

The Tranzqual Bus Roadeo 2009 is to be held from July 10th to 12th at the Ellerslie Event Centre in Auckland in association with the Bus and Coach Association. It is being hosted by bus company NZ Bus.

During the weekend, 27 of our nation’s top bus drivers will compete in events testing driving skills, customer service, road knowledge and ability to detect bus faults.

The competing drivers are chosen by their companies because of their skills, low complaint and accident rates, great customer service and professionalism.

This is the third year a bus roadeo has been held in New Zealand. Last year’s winner, Ian Anderson from Go Bus in Hamilton, will be defending his title of Bus Driver of the Year. The number of competitors this year is the highest yet and the course is the most technically difficult.

Raewyn Bleakley, CEO of the Bus and Coach Association, said the roadeo was the opportunity to recognise the high level of skills required to be a good bus driver.

“It’s also a way to celebrate and reward excellence in an informal way. Even though the competition is fierce, everyone has a great time.”

For the first time, this year’s Bus Roadeo will be held just prior to the Bus and Coach Association annual conference.

Tranzqual CEO Wayne Smith said Tranzqual was delighted to sponsor such a unique event in New Zealand, which was gaining in popularity each year.

“The roadeo emphasises the importance of driver training and shows how industry training can create professionalism in our driving force, of which this country can be very proud. We look forward to again seeing some brilliant skill displays.”

NZ Bus CEO Bruce Emson said that events like the Tranzqual Bus Roadeo are an exciting addition to the bus industry’s calendar, as they promote excellence, professionalism and pride.

“Drivers play a critical role in the success of bus transport in this country. They are the public face of our bus companies and of our industry. We celebrate national recognition initiatives like the Tranzqual Bus Roadeo, which help to raise the bar for the industry and the profession.”

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