Troy Lowe of Branch Area Transit Authority won first place in the individual competition at Michigan’s 39th Annual Small Bus Roadeo in Frankenmuth on September 12. Mike Beech of the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) was second. Third place went to Harold Smith of Gladwin City/County Transit. Forty small bus drivers from 17 public transit systems participated.
The top three individual winners are eligible to compete next spring in the Community Transportation Association annual National Bus Roadeo. Fourth through tenth place individual winners were: Marvin Frayer, Clare County Transit; Bob Beck, Clinton Area Transit System; Mike Bassett, Barry County Transit; Steffanie Hunt, Isabella County Transportation Commission (ICTC); Marilyn Griffith, ICTC; Jon Greer, Gladwin City/County Transit; and Kevin Kenney, ICTC.
Gladwin had the first place team, composed of Harold Smith, Jon Greer and Deanna Hughes. The second place team was ICTC’s Steffanie Hunt, Marilyn Griffith and Kevin Kenney. CATA’s Mike Beech, Kate Gardner and Ginger Gray were third.
"Rookie of the Year" went to Gladwin’s Jon Greer. The highest score on the written test was a tie between Marvin Frayer of Clare County Transit and Gladwin’s Deanna Hughes. CATA’s Mike Beech had the highest score on the driving course.
Seven drivers had perfect scores in the pre-trip inspection. They were Gladwin’s Harold Smith; Barry County’s Mike Bassett; ICTC’s Steffanie Hunt and Marilyn Griffith; Clare’s Kevin Stamper and Jodi Cole; and Mark Uryga-Williams of Greater Lapeer Transportation Authority.
Nine drivers had perfect scores in Passenger Assistance. They were CATA’s Mike Beech and Ginger Gray; Gladwin’s Harold Smith and Deanna Hughes; Clare’s Marvin Frayer; Clinton Transit’s Bob Beck; ICTC’s Marilyn Griffith and Kevin Kenny; and Theresa Parker of Blue Water Transportation Commission. On the tie breaker of best time, Gladwin’s Harold Smith won the Q’Straint Michigan Driver of the Year for Passenger Assistance.
Photos of the event can be viewed on MDOT’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT.