The first Riverside Transit Agency driver to win the international bus roadeo has his sights set on a repeat.
Kyle Jones’ driving skills earned him a first-place victory last weekend at the Southern California Regional Bus Roadeo in Los Angeles where he competed against 14 other transit agencies. Next stop is the super bowl of bus driving competitions, the American Public Transportation’s International Bus Roadeo in Louisville, Kentucky on May 19, where he will test his skills against the top bus drivers in the United States and Canada.
For Jones, the international contest is a big deal but it’s nothing new. In fact, he won the event in 2017, giving RTA its first international victory in 42 years. Now, he’s ready to add a second major trophy to his collection.
“Winning the whole thing again would be a major achievement for me,” said Jones, who returns to the international contest for the fourth time. “I’m ready to bring back the trophy for RTA.”
Bus roadeos are elaborate obstacle courses where speed, timing and precision all matter. During the event, drivers steer their 40,000-pound, 40-foot machines through a timed serpentine course of cones, sharp turns and challenging back-ups. Judges observe the performance of each bus operator and note how well they completed each element on the course.
Jones earned a spot at this year’s international roadeo after winning local and regional contests. In fact, he has won RTA’s annual bus roadeo four of the past five years, gaining a reputation as RTA’s undisputed cowboy. His international driving victory in 2017 is the first ever for Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and Southern California as a whole.
Jones has worked with RTA for 13 years and currently drives Route 41.
RTA Chair Randon Lane applauded Kyle for his success in the regional contest.
“We are so proud of Kyle and wish him the best of luck as he represents RTA at the international contest,” he said. “These events are a great way to illustrate how RTA drivers are the best in the business and also spotlight our commitment to driver training and safety on the road.”
