Busman’s Holiday : Annual ‘Roadeo’ Tests Drivers’ Skill at Maneuvering, Stopping, Parking and Trouble-Shooting

James Peacock knows bus driving. He can feel every inch of the 35-foot behemoth he weaves through traffic by day. In his off hours, he climbs back into the driver’s seat to compete with his colleagues in bus “roadeos.”

“It gives you a chance to see how a vehicle will handle in a tight situation,” Peacock said, “which is kind of fun because you’re knocking over plastic cones rather than bending a fender on a Mercedes.”

On Sunday, Peacock was one of two drivers who finished first in the South Coast Area Transit’s Fourth Annual Bus Roadeo held in the parking lot of San Buenaventura State Beach.

Peacock was among nine drivers from the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District who competed alongside 12 drivers from Ventura County in the event. Karen Hart took first place among the Ventura County drivers for the second year in a row.

The competition centered on an obstacle course designed to test the ability of drivers to maneuver their 35-foot buses through tight, twisting turns, around strategically placed traffic cones.

Drivers were also judged on parking and stopping procedures as well as their ability to find minor mechanical defects on their vehicles.

Each driver was given seven minutes to complete the obstacle course and another seven minutes to perform the mechanical inspections, said George Edsell, a South Coast Area Transit supervisor who helped organize this year’s event. He said the purpose of the roadeo is to promote safety and to provide an incentive for drivers to sharpen their skills.

To qualify for the annual competition, drivers must have a clean driving record and cannot have missed more than 12 days of work during the past year, Edsell said.

About 150 people watched Sunday’s competition between veteran contestants and a number of newcomers, he said. A practice session was held for drivers the previous weekend to give them a chance to acquaint themselves with the course, Edsell said.

Although the competition is meant to be fun, many see the event as a way to assure the public that bus drivers are serious about maintaining high safety standards.

“As professional drivers, we have to keep our skills sharp every day,” said Lester Wilson, a veteran driver in Ventura County who has taken first place two out of the last four years. “When you’re out there on the street, you’ve got to be sharp at all times. You’ve got to give 100%.”

A short time later, Mike Peacock, 12, was on the edge of his seat as he watched his dad negotiate a 90-degree turn within inches of a few well-placed traffic cones.

“He almost did that perfect,” Mike said, beaming with pride. “He may make a mistake or two, but he’s the best.”

A few minutes later, James Peacock stepped down from his bus and raised his hands in victory.

“It’s in the bag,” he said. “That’s the best I’ve ever done.”

The judges agreed, awarding Peacock first place in the competition among Santa Barbara bus drivers. J. Daniel Robertson came in second, and Paul Tumbleson came in third.

Vincent Carrera took second place in the Ventura County bus driving competition, and Lester Wilson placed third.

Second- and third-place winners received plaques and gift certificates to local restaurants.

Peacock and Hart both received plaques and will now go on to the national competition, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Assn., in Houston in September.

Peacock has taken his driving skills on the road: In 1988, for instance, he won second place at the North American competition in Montreal.