August 2001 State Roadeo

Metro driver wins state bus 'roadeo,' moves on to nationals

Mike Grady will lead a contingent of public transit drivers from across the state in representing Washington next month at the National Bus Roadeo in Philadelphia. Grady was almost perfect at the state competition, scoring 671 points out of a total 675 possible.

During the roadeo, drivers navigate either a 40-foot or a 35-foot bus through a series of performance stops that test the skills needed in real-life driving situations. The drivers are also evaluated on safety procedures, coach inspection, wheelchair lift operation and personal appearance.

Grady, a resident of Edmonds, currently drives Route 271 between Issaquah, Bellevue and the University of Washington for Metro.

He will be joined at the national roadeo by Metro's vehicle maintenance team, which finished third overall in the state competition. Each maintenance team is tested on its collective driving, diagnostic and maintenance skills.

Metro's maintenance team consists of Ryan Stringfellow, Woodinville, from Metro's East Base in Bellevue; Leonard Emry, Mukilteo, from North Base in Shoreline; and Rob Dargan, Snohomish, from Atlantic Base in Seattle.

The national roadeo will be held in Philadelphia during the last week of September as part of the American Public Transit Association's annual convention.