Due to inclement weather, the Metro bus Local Bus Roadeo was postponed on May 15 as originally scheduled.
On Friday, June 6, Metro Bus Operators will showcase their skills at the 36th annual Local Bus Roadeo, the friendly competition for top honors and a chance to compete at the state level. It is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) K-Lot next to the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The Roadeo is free to watch and open to the public.
Metro Bus’s rich history of excellence in local, state and national/international bus roadeos includes taking first place in the Minnesota State Roadeo 26 times and top four in national/international competitions eight times with two first-place finishes.
“We are proud of the world class skills of Metro Bus Operators, which they showcase every day while delivering safe, reliable, friendly service throughout our communities,” said Ryan I. Daniel, chief executive officer for Metro Bus. “During the roadeo, they get a chance to display those unique skills and test them on the closed course. The excitement and camaraderie during the event are fun to be a part of and to witness. We invite the public to come out to see for themselves.”
During the Roadeo, Bus Operators from the Fixed Route (commonly referred to as city or large buses) and Dial-a-Ride (paratransit or small buses) divisions navigate a timed obstacle course comprised of orange road cones, an acceleration requirement and other tests mimicking real-life driving scenarios. Metro Bus staff and volunteers score the competitors throughout maneuvers including avoiding cones, minimizing stops and starts, maintaining optimal distance from obstacles and more.
The Roadeo and practice prior to the event provides Bus Operators with an opportunity to hone their real-world driving skills on a closed course, as well as an occasion to gather with colleagues. Contestants, Metro Bus staff and volunteers enjoy swapping stories of past Roadeo glories and epic misadventures. This year Metro Bus is partnering with North Central Bus and Equipment to create an enjoyable event for the competitors and volunteers.
The skills that make Bus Operators successful on the roadeo course are the same ones they use to deliver safe, reliable, friendly public transportation services. If you are able, please join us at SCSU on June 6 to cheer on these great professionals.
Top finishers in each division qualify to compete in the Minnesota Statewide Bus Roadeo to be held July 18-19 at Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range-Virginia, hosted by Arrowhead Transit. Top finishers at the state level are also eligible to advance to their respective national/international competition.
For more information about state and national/international competitions:
- Minnesota State Roadeo hosted by the MPTA: mpta-transit.org
- National Community Transit Roadeo (for small buses) hosted by the CTAA: ctaa.org
- International Bus Roadeo (for large buses) hosted by the American Public Transportation Association: apta.com
Double award-winner David Peacock stands by the small St. Cloud Metro bus he drives. In 2024, he won first place in the category of “Small Buses” at the statewide Metro Bus “Roadeo” in Shakopee.
