Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Stop and go traffic is a challenge on our major roads.  What would it be like if you swapped your car for a 40 foot bus?  Triangle Transit Authority bus operators will drive a test course this weekend as TTA holds its annual bus roadeo.

The roadeo will be held Saturday, May 5th in the parking area of GE Aircraft Engines off North Miami Blvd. (between I-40 and T.W. Alexander Drive) in Durham.  The event  begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 12 Noon. The public is invited to attend and there is no admission charge.  You may want to bring your lawn chair and sunscreen.   

TTA General Manager David King says “Last year’s inaugural event was a great opportunity to showcase our professional work force.  Driving daily, our operators   provide an important connection for our riders in the Triangle. This year’s roadeo again will allow them to compete, displaying their driving skills and knowledge of safety regulations.” 

Using industry criteria, the judges will score operators on the test track competition in several categories including turns, stopping, smoothness of operation and personal appearance. Before Saturday’s roadeo event, each operator will have completed a   written test and sign identification quiz.  Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony immediately after the roadeo.

Annual rodeo competitions have been a part of North Carolina’s community and public transportation industry for over a decade. TTA’s event promotes camaraderie and a chance for operators to share their professional work experiences.  TTA winners in each of the categories will have the chance to compete at the NC Public Transportation Roadeo in Wilmington, June 1-3.   

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, RDU International Airport, RTP and Raleigh.  The Triangle Transit Authority also provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the popular on-line resource for public transportation information in the Triangle. 

TTA is the implementation agency responsible for carrying out a regional transit plan connecting Durham, RTP, Cary, Raleigh, RDU International Airport and Research    Triangle Park.

For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.