VIA celebrated its 45th anniversary at the Roadeo, honoring all of the dedicated employees from past and present who’ve helped move our community.

The VIA Roadeo – the Bus, Van and Maintenance competitions, made a return on Nov. 4, after a three-year pause, with more than 375 employees, family members, and friends supporting the event that also featured a carnival and a car show

The Roadeo competition tests the knowledge and skills of bus operators, van operators and technicians, who must complete timed technical challenges. The top competitors from VIA’s Roadeo advance to the statewide competition, which will be hosted in San Antonio next March as part of the Texas Transit Association (TTA) conference. From there, winners advance to the International Bus Rodeo held in Portland, Oregon, in April.

Bus and van operators have seven minutes to complete the obstacle course, which includes 11 obstacles, worth 50 points each. Penalties are assessed for making contact with cones, curbs, and barrels or for unnecessary transmission shifts, among other things. The competition also includes a pre-trip inspection where operators identify and record equipment-related defects and a security hazard within a set time limit.

VIA Metropolitan Transit celebrated its 45th Anniversary with the return of the Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo.
The friendly competition tests the skills of operators and mechanics in a series of challenges. VIA marked the return of the Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo after a three-year hiatus, and operators,
mechanics and local celebrities walked away with top awards in various categories. VIA Metropolitan Transit Board Vice Chair Laura Cabanilla (center) was cheered on by her family
while placing third in the celebrity portion of the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. The VIA Grilling Trailer was fired up to provide tasty food for competitors, family
and VIA employees at the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo on Nov. 4, 2023. Celebrity competitors in the Roadeo included VIA Board Vice Chair Laura Cabanilla (from left), Rey Feo LXXV John McFadden, VIA Chair Fernando Reyes, Castle Hills Mayor JR Treviño, District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, South Texas Business Partnership President/CEO Rebecca Viagran, District 5 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha & the SA Missions Ballapeño. Castle Hills Mayor JR Treviño put his skills behind the wheel of VIA bus to the test
in the celebrity competition of the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo on Nov. 4. 2023. Competitors and attendees of the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo were treated to fun activities,
including a car show that featured vintage models, some of which were restored by VIA employees. District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran showed off her maneuvering skills
in the celebrity competition at the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. Operators took to the challenge course, testing skills in various categories at the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. VIA operator Azalia Perez showcased her tight-corner turning skills during the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. VIAtrans Operators were tested on the obstacle course for vans at the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. Marcos Lopez captured third place in the Maintenance competition and was presented his trophy by
VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Fleet & Facilities Sam Marra. David Berrelez garnered second place in the Maintenance competition and was presented his trophy by
VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Fleet & Facilities Sam Marra. Phil Davis placed first in the Maintenance competition and was recognized by
VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Fleet & Facilities Sam Marra. Moises Garcia placed third in the Van operator competition and received his trophy
from VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber. Robert Colunga finished in second place in the Van Operator competition and was presented his trophy
by VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber. Jesse Rodriguez claimed first place in the Van Operator competition. VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left)
and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber presented the trophy. Roberto Martinez placed third in the Bus Operator competition. VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left)
and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber presented the trophy. Jose Meza is presented his second-place trophy in the bus operator competition
by VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber. Marcus White, the bus operator champion in 2019, defended his title and took home the first-place trophy
presented by VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber. Rey Feo LXXV John McFadden Sr. finished third in the celebrity competition 2023 Roadeo and was presented his trophy by VIA Senior Vice President of Public Engagement Jon Gary Herrera and VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt. VIA President/CEO Jeff Arndt (left) and VIA Senior Vice President of Public Engagement Jon Gary Herrera recognize VIA Board Chair Fernando Reyes for his first-place finish in the celebrity competition at the 2023 VIA Bus Roadeo. VIA Vice President of Transportation Curtis Koleber (top left) and Manager of Bus Service Transportation Kenny Davison, along supervisors and operators served as facilitators and judges at the VIA Bus-Van-Maintenance Roadeo. Rey Feo LXXV John McFadden Sr. participated in the celebrity competition at the 2023 VIA Bus Roadeo. 2023 Bus Roadeo Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo 2023 Bus Roadeo Bus Roadeo

Outside of completing the driving course and inspection, paratransit operators also complete specific challenges that require tying down and securing a wheelchair. This aspect of the competition is designed to test the operator’s ability to safely load and secure a passenger using a wheelchair while ensuring their safety in a professional manner.

Most bus operators agreed the most challenging portion of the course was the “serpentine,” where they had to weave “like a snake,” around tightly spaced cones. The course finale was a crowd favorite as operators maneuvered a sharp left turn and accelerated to 20 mph through a narrow path of barrels, then abruptly stopped at a cone marker.

Rogelio “Roger” Dominguez, a recently retired VIA bus operator and 14-time VIA Roadeo champion, was visiting with operators on the sidelines preparing to drive the course. When asked what his biggest piece of advice was, Dominguez said, “Practice, practice, practice.”

Marcus White, the most recent Roadeo champion, took first place in the bus operator competition with a total obstacle course score of 565 out of 600, followed by Jose Meza with 503 points in second place, and Roberto Martinez with 467 points in third. Jesse Rodriguez claimed first place in the paratransit operator competition, with Robert Colunga in second and Moises Garcia in third. All six operators will advance to the statewide competition.

Six technicians competed in the Maintenance portion of the Roadeo. The competition features eight modules, including a written test covering general knowledge, engine, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, brakes, electrical and transmission, with points awarded for correct answers and tiebreakers based on time and specific questions.

The vehicle inspection event tasks technicians with identifying up to 14 equipment-related defects on a bus, with points awarded for each defect found and penalties for various issues, such as not returning the bus to its original condition or unsafe practices. Other modules focus on powertrain, air brakes, HVAC systems, and more, testing technicians’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in bus maintenance and repair.

For three of the six technicians, this year marked their first Roadeo competition. One technician remarked there were modules that tested abilities outside of his current shop assignments and was proud of his ability to navigate them after only about a week of practice.

In the Technician Roadeo, Phil Davis went home with first place scoring 1,512.5 points, David Berrelez ranked second with 1,432.5 points, and Marcos Lopez took third place with 1,195 points.

“I’m always impressed watching our technicians in action under the pressure of the clock, showing their level of focus and talent,” said Sam Marra, Vice President of Fleet and Facilities. “We’re excited to see them compete together at the statewide event in March.”

Local civic and business leaders joined in the fun by taking the wheel of a GILLIG bus to attempt the bus course during the “Celebrity Roadeo” portion – a long-standing tradition. Among the participants were JR Trevino, mayor of Castle Hills, John McFadden Sr., Rey Feo LXXV, Rebecca Viagran, president & CEO of the South Texas Business Partnership; District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha-Garcia, VIA Board Chair Fernando Reyes, VIA Board Vice Chair Laura Cabanilla, and The Ballapeño, San Antonio Missions mascot.

When interviewed after his run on the course by VIA’s emcee, Kenny Davison, Rey Feo said, “I think it’s less about who did best — and more about who didn’t do as bad.”

Reyes walked away with first place, scoring 126 points, followed by Cabanilla, who scored 119. Rey Feo placed third with a score of 109.

Celebrities participated on a shortened course.

“Our weeks of hard work preparing the course, practicing, and getting the details together paid off,” said Michelle Garza, Bus Lead Supervisor and Roadeo Organizer. “We had a lot of fun cheering on our coworkers and can’t wait to see them take home state.”