September 23, 2014
ALBANY, N.Y. (September 22, 2014) The Capital District Transportation Company (CDTA) is proud to announce that Schenectady Bus Operator Robert Rzeszuto placed first in the 2014 New York State Bus Roadeo Competition held on Saturday at Crossgates Mall.
Rzeszuto, who has 28 years of driving experience with CDTA, beat out 12 other drivers from transit properties across New York State. Mr. Rzeszuto won CDTA’s Bus Roadeo competition held back in June. He won the local event in 2007, while placing 2nd in both the 2001 and the 2011 Roadeos along with a 3rd place finish back in 2003.
The remaining top finishers were: Douglass Rowles (2nd place) from Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT), CDTA operator Ken Strait (3rd place) out of Schenectady with 27 years of service and CDTA operator Corey Bixby (4th place) out of Schenectady with eight years of service rounded out the top four finishers.
CDTA hosted the annual event which drew bus operators from Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Kingston. Operators compete for the championship title on a rigid, scored course, consisting of several different driving challenges.
Volunteer judges from across the state judged drivers by assessing contestant driving skills, knowledge of safety rules and time performance. The winner and top finalists in the NYS Roadeo have the opportunity to compete in the International Roadeo held annually in the spring.