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RIVERSIDE, CA — (April 15, 2008) — One of the Riverside Transit Agency’s (RTA) longest-tenured drivers has won the Agency’s annual Bus Roadeo for the 11th time.
Coach Operator Dohn Ryder, who has worked with RTA for 30 years, posted a winning score of 601 out of a possible 650 to win the competition held last Sunday at RTA’s Hemet facility. Next month, Ryder will represent RTA at the American Public Transportation Association’s International Bus Roadeo in Austin, TX.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience,” Ryder said of the international event. “I can’t wait to test my skills against the best of the best.” During Sunday’s event, Ryder and other drivers steered their 28,000-pound, 40-foot machines through a timed serpentine obstacle course of cones, sharp turns and challenging back-ups. Volunteer judges observed the performance of each bus operator and noted how well they completed each element on the course.
So what’s behind Ryder’s ongoing success? “I just love what I do,” he said. “Whether its customer service or safety, I take a lot of pride in my job, and that has made all the difference.”
In the Coach Operator Division, Maria Castro and Kyle Jones took second and third place, respectively. In the Maintenance Division, Ken Stevens and Jose de Leon Jr. took first and second place, respectively. And in the Board of Directors Division, Hemet Councilman Eric McBride and Lake Elsinore Mayor Daryl Hickman took first and second place, respectively.
“RTA takes pride in the fact that it prepares its coach operators to handle a variety of challenges on the road, from traffic congestion to inclement weather,” said Chairman Frank Kessler. “These annual events are a wonderful opportunity for RTA to showcase its commitment to safety.”
The Riverside Transit Agency provides public transportation for Western Riverside County, operating 39 fixed routes, 7 commuter routes and 15 demand response services. RTA’s service area spans 2,500 square miles, the second-largest in the nation. For bus route and schedule information contact RTA at (800) 800-7821 or log on to
our Web site at www.RiversideTransit.com. |
