A female Metrobus operator wins the 2023 Bus Roadeo for the first time in recent history

During a two-day competition this past Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25, 37 Miami-Dade County Metrobus operators and nine bus maintenance technicians went head-to-head during the 2023 Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) Bus Roadeo for a chance to win and advance to compete among the best of the best in Florida.

Once the dust settled, three winners claimed top honors and for the first time in the bus Roadeo’s recent history, a female operator, Ms. Telisa Ruan, won the overall competition.

“I thank and commend all participants not only because their unwavering commitment to our residents every single day, but also because they love their jobs and public service,” said Eulois Cleckley, the Director and CEO of the DTPW. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and specially to Operator Ruan. Best wishes to all in the State Competition. Make us proud!”

The top three winners of the 2023 local Bus Roadeo are:

• First place: Operator Telisa Ruan, a 22-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
• Second place: Kerry Brinson, a 6-year DTPW veteran
• Third place: Hulon Gamble, a DTPW rookie with just 25 months of experience in the Department

The top three winners in the maintenance challenge are:

• Joefred Tolentino, a 10-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
• Willie Albizu, a 4-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo
• Gilberto Crespillo, a 7-year DTPW veteran - advanced to the State Bus Roadeo

Bus Roadeos offer bus operators and bus maintenance personnel a unique opportunity to engage in competitive activities that test their driving and maintenance skills, respectively. As part of the Bus Roadeo challenge, bus operators were asked to drive through an obstacle course, simulating bus maneuvers that would be made during normal bus operating/driving duties. This is part of the basic Bus Operator’s skills test. Maintenance technicians demonstrated their knowledge and skills in various technical areas. 

First place winners received a $300, 2^nd place winners received $200, and 3^rd place winners received $100. DTPW’s winning team will hone their skills and travel to Orlando to compete among the best bus operators and technicians in the State of the Florida in the Bus Roadeo State Competition being held March 30 - April 1, 2023.

Editor’s note: High-res photos are available upon request.