In a competition that tested drivers’ knowledge and skills behind the wheel, Lansing, Mich.’s Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) bus operators were awarded top honors. Mike Beech placed first in the individual competition and, along with fellow CATA operators Kate Gardner and Steve Soliz, took first place in the team competition.

“We are very excited, and we are very proud of our operators,” said CATA CEO/Executive Director Sandy Draggoo. “Not only did they do an outstanding job representing our agency in competition, but they do so every day in service to our customers.”

The Roadeo reinforces safe-driving habits and operator professionalism behind the wheel. In total, 18 public transit agencies and 48 drivers competed for points on a written exam, an obstacle course, assisting a passenger with wheelchair securements and a pre-trip vehicle inspection.

“We definitely put a lot of pressure on ourselves in practice,” Beech said. “We called it ‘tough love.’ We were confident going in, and we really wanted to do well.”

Beech advances to the national competition in May 2016 at the Community Transportation Association of America’s National Bus Roadeo in Portland, Ore.