6-TIME VICTORY FOR OPERATOR AT ANNUAL BUS ROADEO

Ottawa - OC Transpo bus operator Richard Piché is the winner of the 25th OC Transpo safe driving Roadeo held on Sunday June 10.

It is the sixth victory for Mr. Piché, and his fourth win in a row at the annual driving competition. A veteran with 19 years behind the wheel, Mr. Piché earns himself a trip to Pittsburgh to represent OC Transpo in the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) International Bus Roadeo in the fall. Mr. Piché, who lives in Crysler, also ran up first place finishes in 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999 and 2000. He plans to do his best to bring home the International championship.

In addition to the trip to the International Roadeo, Mr. Piché wins $500 and a trophy. First runner-up Philip Ridge who has been a bus operator for 12 years and lives in Richmond, receives $300 and a trophy. Second runner-up Allan Mayhew, of Stittsville, who has been driving a bus for 17 years, wins $200 and a trophy.

The 1 094 OC Transpo bus operators who completed an accident-free year of full time professional driving in 2000 were eligible to drive in the Roadeo. Mr. Piché extended his congratulations to the 54 operators who chose to participate as well as all those who were eligible to compete. "The real challenge is navigating obstacles on the street, but the Roadeo gives us an opportunity to really test all our skills in a controlled environment" said Piché.

The Roadeo is designed to test the skills of bus operators by simulating a variety of problems encountered regularly on the street.

Contact : Lucille Doré 842-3632     720-0533 Cellular