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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 18, 2005
Contact: Joy Jones, 964-7115
Leon Alder, 964-7154
Four County Transit Hosts State Driving
Competition
Wardell, VA
– Ninety “cowboys” drove their “steers” – in this case 15-passenger vans
– to compete in the 2005 Virginia Paratransit Driving Roadeo on
Saturday, May 8, at Southwest Virginia Community College. The
competition was sponsored by the Community Transportation Association of
Virginia and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Four
County Transit hosted this year’s “Roadeo”.
Called a “Roadeo”
because passenger vans are put through their daily paces on a road or in
the “corral,” this annual competition challenged operators to
demonstrate their efficiency in timed skills events. Individual van
operators compete for first through third place in the state
competition, which scores the competitors on a written examination, the
ability to safely and quickly complete an obstacle course, and a
wheelchair securement exercise.
“Drivers look
forward to this event each year. They have the opportunity to showcase
their excellent driving skills and knowledge of safety regulations and
equipment, which demonstrates why Four County Transit has some of the
safest drivers in the public transit industry” said Sue Brushe, Four
County Transit’s Fleet Manager.
For example, one of
the timed skill events for drivers involved being able to maneuver their
van through a maze before hitting an obstacle--in this instance, an
orange traffic cone. Drivers who come closest to the cone without making
contact receive points for that event. At the conclusion of the day’s
events, cumulative point totals determine the winning drivers.
Four County Transit
sent six drivers to challenge themselves, each other, and other drivers
from throughout the state for first-place honors to represent Virginia
in the national competition. Four County Transit’s team includes Sylvia
Charles, Bobbie Justus, and Patricia Jackson, of Buchanan County; and,
DJ Stinson, Joe Eastridge, and Ken Meredith, of Tazewell County. Ruby
Cline of Buchanan County and Willard Atwell of Tazewell County were
alternates. In order to compete, drivers had to meet stringent
eligibility requirements.
Patricia Jackson, a
3 year veteran of Four County Transit, claimed 3rd place
honors at the competition. Jackson is from Buchanan County.
“Pat’s safety record
speaks for itself,” said Leon Alder, Director of Transportation Services
for Four County Transit. “She’s a good driver and we’re proud that she
scored in the top 5% of over 90 operators competing in the roadeo this
year.”
“All of our drivers
did an excellent job. They represented our organization well. While on
the job, they all demonstrate positive attitudes, a commitment to
customer service, and work hard to transport people throughout our
multi-county service area safety and efficiently.”
Danny Stallard, a
former driver for Four County Transit, was deemed the 2005 Roadeo
Champion. Fredricksburg Area Transit won the overall competition.
Stallard will advance to the National Roadeo competition in St. Louis,
Missouri. The national competition is sponsored by the Community
Transportation Association of America.
Four County Transit,
operated by the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, is a non-profit
community-based organization that has been in the transportation
business since 1998. Four County Transit provides a wide-range of
services to Buchanan, Dickenson, Tazewell, and Russell County residents.
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