Road-E-O in the rain!

School bus rally focuses on safety

The rain Thursday did not adversely affect the numerous school bus drivers from across the state who gathered at Veterans High School to compete in the annual Pupil Transportation Safety Competition.

“The rain shouldn’t affect them,” said Wiley Crews, the president of the PTSCF and transportation director for Brantley County, about the downpour due to Tropical Storm Andrea the drivers faced during the completion. “They drive in this (the rain) often.”

Two of the 63 drivers were from Houston County. Jim Flannigan, who has been a driver for 15 years, and Clay Moncrief, who has been a driver for three years.

“The mirrors are key,” explained Moncrief, who has competed in the event for three years. “They tell you where your bus is at all times.”

Flannigan also pressed the role mirrors play when it comes to driving a bus.

“It’s all about the mirrors,” said Flannigan, who has been to the state event 11 times and went to the national competition in 2008.

“It’s fun,” said Moncrief about the event. “It sharpens my skills.”

This competition was the first time propane buses were used for the driving portion, said John Roselli, the director of alternative fuels for Blue Bird.

Competitors took a written test and had to inspect a bus on Wednesday. The written test was 25 questions and worth 100 out of the 750 possible points for all three areas. The bus inspection had drivers looking for five flaws in five minutes.

The first and second place winners will travel to Tulsa to compete at the national road-e-o in July. 

The premier sponsors for the even include: Blue Bird Corporation, Georgia Association of Pupil Transportation and Yancey Bus Sales.

HHJ News