by Dennis Dalman
For the second consecutive year, David Peacock won first place in the “Small Bus” division at the 37th annual statewide “Metro Transit Bus Roadeo,” which took place July 20 at Shakopee’s Canterbury Park.
Peacock, a Sauk Rapids resident, is a driver for St. Cloud Metro Bus, which provides service to Sartell, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park. Peacock has driven for Metro Bus for 23 years.
Hundreds of drivers throughout Minnesota compete annually in the “Roadeo,” which is meant to emphasize, promote and honor bus-driving safety and skills. Competitors take a written test and then navigate an obstacle course where they must demonstrate all sorts of specialized driving maneuvers.
For this years’s Roadeo, in Shakopee, St. Cloud Metro Bus was represented by three Dial-a-Ride (small bus drivers) (including Peacock) and three fixed-route (large bus) drivers.
The other St. Cloud Metro Bus competitors also placed highly in the event. They are two other small-bus operators – Keith Drake and Chris Osmek; and large-bus operators Clint Benner, Jason Hiivala and Joel Lafrentz.
Peacock now has a chance to compete at national and international competitions. In nearly 40 years of Roadeo events, Metro Bus drivers have won 25 first-place awards and were among the top four winners eight times in national/international competitions.
Double award-winner David Peacock stands by the small St. Cloud Metro bus he drives. He recently won first place in the category of “Small Buses” at the statewide Metro Bus “Roadeo” in Shakopee.
