MVTA to host top bus driver obstacle course at Canterbury

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) will be hosting a statewide transit bus driver skills competition on Saturday, July 20, on the grounds of Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

The 2024 Minnesota Public Transit Association Bus “Roadeo,” will feature top drivers from public transit agencies from throughout Minnesota.

Winners will be selected in a large bus group competition and a small bus group competition, explained MVTA Senior Transportation Administrator Chad Deegan, who is helping coordinate the event.

Participants in the large group category will include transit bus operators from Duluth, Rochester, Metro Transit, SouthWest Transit, and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. Many of the drivers in the small bus group will hail from rural agencies throughout the state where smaller buses are the primary vehicles in service.

Competitors will be scored in 15 different categories, including Serpentine – maneuvering through a series of staggered cones; Rear Duals Clearance, an obstacle course requiring drivers to avoid tennis balls with their rear dual tires; and Judgment Stop, a test of the competitor’s ability to stop the bus in front of a small object directly ahead of it.

During various obstacle tests, drivers need to navigate tight corner turns and avoid hitting cones to avoid deductions.

The competition will be located in a parking lot north of the main track at Canterbury Park. The public is welcome to attend the competition.

“The Roadeo will offer a good perspective and showcase the talents these operators as they maneuver through obstacles with these large-sized vehicles,” Deegan said. “These are everyday kind of occurrences that show how precise they need to be to maintain safety for riders and for the vehicles.”

Winners of MPTA Roadeo are eligible to advance to the International Roadeo in Austin, Texas, in April 2025.

Information about MVTA transit driver employment positions also will be available at the event.

Event Information

What: 2024 Minnesota Public Transit Association Bus “Roadeo”

Where: Canterbury Park, Shakopee. In overflow parking lot north of main track.

When: Saturday, July 20.

7:30 a.m. – Opening ceremony

9 a.m. – Large Bus Group Competition

10:45 – 11:30 a.m. – Small Bus Competition

1:30 – 3 p.m. – Small Bus Competition (if needed)

Cost: Free

Other: There will be a limited amount of seating available at the event so the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs.