The annual event brought together SEPTA staff, family, and friends for a day of competition between colleagues and fun for all!
It was a new dawn for the SEPTA Bus Roadeo after a two-year hiatus. The event kicked off with the Maintenance Competition at STATS Training Center at 2nd & Wyoming in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday, September 16 and was followed by the Operations Competition on Saturday, September 19 at the Cornwells Heights Park-and-Ride Lot.
It was a welcome return for many of the SEPTA employees with volunteers arriving as early as 5AM on Saturday to set up the course, staff booths and tables, emcee the event, work as judges, and even man a dunk tank and other kids zone activities for employees’ families to enjoy.
A parking lot that would normally be quiet on a Saturday was buzzing with excitement about the return of the SEPTA Bus Roadeo!
The Operations Competition served as the main event. Operators had their uniforms and vehicles inspected before taking on the course. The parking lot was dotted with orange cones marking a series of driving challenges ranging from pulling up to curbs, tricky turns, reversing into and out of tight spots, a serpentine maneuver, and finally slotting the bus between a series of barrels arranged in a funnel that was wide enough at the mouth but barely wide enough for a vehicle to pass through at the end.
The return of the competition brought out long-time competitors and some new faces including SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer who hopped in the driver’s seat of a bus to try his hand at the course. He tackled the turns and twists and only knocked over a few barrels before finishing his run! Did you know he is a former trolley operator?
The challenge of the course vexes even some of the most senior operators (and GMs) but the opportunity to compete for bragging rights and the chance to represent SEPTA at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Bus Roadeo in Seattle, WA in April 2027 makes it all worth it.
High stakes require focus and preparation. Drivers were given a week to walk the course and strategize. And many of them take days off to practice on their own time. All competitors in the Bus Roadeo are required to be in good standing with clean driving and attendance records.
The Maintenance Roadeo competitors were also in attendance. They waited to hear the winners announced from their competitions which took place earlier in the week at STATS Training Center at 2nd & Wyoming in Northeast Philadelphia. A top finish in the Maintenance or Bus Roadeo brings a level prestige among their colleagues.
The Midvale Muddawgs took home top-prize for the Maintenance Roadeo and Terell “Smooth Rell” Betts finished first in the operator competition which makes him a two-time champion.
Congrats to the winners in the Maintenance and Operator Competitions:
Maintenance Overall Winners
1st Place: Midvale Muddawgs
2nd Place: Frankford’s Finest
3rd Place: Callowhill Bus Maintenance
Operator Overall Winners
1st Place: Terell Betts, Allegheny
2nd Place: Antonio Dean, Callowhill
3rd Place: Antonio Laws, Callowhill
