Roadeo targets industry image

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The desire by Michigan operator to shine a positive light on safe motorcoach driving has led to development of a bus roadeo that has become an annual event, drawing competitors from three states.

Compass Coach, a Cedar Springs, Mich.-based operator with a fleet of 17 motorcoaches and 43 employees, conducted its first bus roadeo last year, using its own drivers as competitors.

At the conclusion of that event it announced it intended to begin staging the roadeo annually and invite drivers from other companies to participate (see Oct. 15, 2010 Bus & Motorcoach News). That happened with the second roadeo this year and 21 motorcoach-driver competitors coming from 11 companies.

With accidents and noncompliant operators in the news, "its nice to showcase the talents of professional drivers who work for safe legitimate motorcoach companies," said Dale Richardson, safety director of Compass Coach, who organized the event.

"It is a way for the drivers to meet with local law enforcement in a nonenforcement way."

The Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division had four troopers at the roadeo, while the Michigan Department of Transportation Bus and Limousine Division had three agents on hand. The inspectors acted as judges for the competition.

"It was good to see the different Michigan departments working together and along side the drivers," said Trenton Stange, president of Compass Coach.

The roadeo consisted of knowledge and pre-trip inspection tests, along with a driving course that tested backing, sudden-stop, angle-parking and obstructive-obstacle skills.

The written exam tested knowledge of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, the pre-trip inspection test included five items drivers had to find and identify, and the driving course was designed to mimic the challenges motorcoach drivers face everyday on the job.

"If the drivers followed a proper pre-inspection sheet and have routinely done a good job while pre-inspecting their own vehicles, finding these five problems was not a problem," said Gene Perski, lead mechanic at Compass Coach, who came up with the defects drivers had to find.

The competition was conducted in the parking lot and facilities of Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan White Caps minor league baseball team.

The day started with a breakfast sponsored by ABC Companies and included a lunch underwritten by National Interstate Insurance. Door prices were given, including a football autographed by coaching and broadcasting legend John Madden and donated by MCI.

Other support came from the City of Cedar Springs, White Caps Baseball, Educational Tours, Isabella County (Mich.) Transportation Commission, and Compass Coach employees.

The winner was Scott Parkison of Excursions Trailways of Fort Wayne, Ind. He took home a trophy, a 40-inch flat-panel television and bragging rights.

Runners-up were Mark Smothers, second, and Tom Carteaux, third, of American Heritage Trails in Fort Wayne.