Kitsap Transit operators, mechanics take home top prize at state Roadeo competition
From left to right: Kitsap Transit mechanics James Irish, Spenser Winslow, Ruben Castro and ACCESS operator Robert Floyd accept the Grand Champion prize.
Kitsap Transit's operators and maintenance team swept the 2024 Washington State Transit Association Roadeo competition, winning first place in three events and taking home the overall Grand Champion Award.
Val Quill, Kitsap Transit’s longest-tenured operator, took first place in the Routed 35-foot coach division. ACCESS operator Robert Floyd won first place in the Body-on-Chassis (smaller, cutaway buses) division and the maintenance team of James Irish, Spencer Winslow and Ruben Castro took first in the Maintenance Roadeo.
“I am and continue to be extremely proud of our employees here at Kitsap Transit,” Executive Director John Clauson said.
Every year, Kitsap Transit employees participate in local, regional and state Roadeo events to showcase their proficiency in the technical skills needed to operate and maintain buses. Competitors in the Body-on-Chassis and 35-foot routed competitions are judged on performance in four areas: a written test, pre-trip inspection, wheelchair securement and an obstacle course.
Kitsap Transit senior operator Val Quill took first place in the Routed 35-foot division at the Washington State Roadeo.
Quill, who has driven for Kitsap Transit for nearly 40 years, has been nationally recognized for her long track record of safe driving. She’s also the second of three generations of bus drivers to drive for Kitsap Transit—her mother started with the agency in 1983, and her son drives for ACCESS.
Kitsap Transit ACCESS operator Robert Floyd took first place in the Body-on-Chassis division at the Washington State Roadeo.
Floyd, a Kitsap Transit operator since 2002, has consistently placed in the top three finishers at the state competition, including back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. He has competed in the National Roadeo four times, taking 2nd overall in 2018.
To top it off, Kitsap Transit mechanics James Irish, Ruben Castro, and Spencer Winslow took first place in the Maintenance Roadeo portion of the state competition. The team previously placed second in the regional competition in Olympia.
During the Roadeo, technicians compete in several events and a written test. The events test mechanics’ skill in diagnosing and repairing performance-related bus issues while on a time limit. Events include identifying hidden defects across a 40-foot Gillig bus and diagnosing and fixing airbrake systems, air conditioning units, control boards and slide doors.
At the end of the weekend, KT’s team received the Grand Champion Award, given to the agency that accrues the most points across all events.
Left to right: Kitsap Transit mechanic James Irish, lead mechanic Ruben Castro and lead mechanic Spencer Winslow.
James, Spencer and Ruben will represent Kitsap Transit at the national American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Roadeo in Austin, Texas, early next year. Val will compete at both the national APTA roadeo and the National Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Roadeo in San Diego. Robert will also compete in the national roadeo in San Diego.
Congratulations to our Kitsap Transit operators and mechanics for their incredible accomplishment!