On Saturday, April 30, 2022 the Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center held their 18th Annual Roadeo at the Sangamon County Fair Grounds, New Belin, IL.  What is a Bus Roadeo? This event is an opportunity for transit drivers from across the state to saddle-up and test their individual limits! The Roadeo consists of 1) Written Test with many of the questions based on basic training materials used for transit driver training, the R.T.A.C. written test, CDL Study Guide and common sense.  2) Pre-Trip inspection, where vehicles are set up with at least four defects that are to be found within seven minutes. The defects can be anything from a missing oil cap, non functioning turn signal,  to an outdated fire extinguisher. 3) Wheelchair Securement. And the very popular 4) Driving Course. This years course was made up of nine different obstacles including the Serpentine, Diminishing Clearance, Judgement Stop, R/L Hand Reverse and Turns and Tire Clearance.

First place went to Mary from Shawnee Mass Transit District, second place went to Ken Karbach from SCT, Clinton County Driver and third place and Novice Award went to Keith Barthelemy, SCT, Marion County Driver.

This years overall Grand Prize winner of the R.T.A.C. State Roadeo will receive a trip to Louisville, KY to compete in the National Roadeo at the Community Transportation Association of America (C.T.A.A.) Expo in May.

CONGRATULATIONS to this years 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and a very big “THANK YOU” to all the participants and volunteers! We certainly hope to see everyone again next year!