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SamTrans > News Archive > Safety in the Spotlight at Annual SamTrans Bus Roadeo
Safety in the Spotlight at Annual SamTrans Bus Roadeo
SamTrans prides itself on its commitment to safety. Spectators got a chance to see this
commitment when bus operators and mechanics put their training to the test at the
district’s annual bus roadeo, held recently in South San Francisco.
The roadeo tests a driver’s skill at maneuvering a 30,000-pound bus smoothly through 11
challenges on a timed-course. Drivers leave the starting line with 600 points and lose
points for making errors or running over the allotted six minutes. Competitors also are
judged on how smoothly they drive the bus.
Bus operator Edwin Freeman of South San Francisco came in first place with 574 points.
This is the sixth time that Freeman has won the local competition.
Bus operator Rodrigo Eguilos of Stockton came in second place with 558 points, followed
by Bernardo Hernandez of San Mateo in third place with 551 points. All three operators
bested their scores from the previous year.
Operators Freeman, Hernandez and Eguilos will represent SamTrans at the Northern
California Regional Bus Roadeo on Aug. 27 being hosted by SamTrans in South San
Francisco. Scores from the local and regional roadeos will be combined to determine
which SamTrans operator will compete in the international roadeo this fall in Dallas.
On the maintenance side, teams made up of three mechanics were challenged to
trouble-shoot a “bugged” bus and ace a written test. The top scoring team was Andrew
McCambridge of Sunnyvale , Robert Santiago of Pacifica, and Ryan Plante of Fremont. The
team will represent SamTrans in the upcoming regional and international roadeos.
In other competitive divisions, Mechanic Ashok Singh of Hayward finished first in the
maintenance driver competition. Instructors William Snell of South San Francisco and
Ron Jordan of Menlo Park came in first and second place, respectively, in the instructor
division. The two long-time competitors and co-workers were separated by one point.
Rookie Operator Kristopher Longa of South San Francisco won a special award for scoring
521 points in his first competition.
The roadeo includes SamTrans contract operator MV Transportation. In that competition,
Antonio Marquardt of San Francisco came in first.
Last year the SamTrans team placed fourth overall in the international competition,
besting teams from larger transit properties: New York, Atlanta and Chicago.
The SamTrans Bus Roadeo is dedicated to veteran employee James V. Castagno. Castagno
began his career with SamTrans as a mechanic and, at the time of his death, had worked
his way up through the ranks to a senior management position. His competitive spirit
and commitment to excellence are an enduring legacy.
6/30/05
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