The Bus Olympics
By Mark Sawyer
A Pukerua Bay bus driver has been selected for the Olympics ? the bus Olympics. Graeme Hunter will pit his skills against the best 26 bus drivers in the land at the Tranzqual Bus Roadeo at Ellerslie Events Centre in Auckland. The Roadeos tests the skills and knowledge of bus drivers, testing their driving skills, customer service, road knowledge and ability to detect bus faults. The competing drivers are chosen by their companies because of their skills, low complaint and accident rates, great customer service and professionalism. Mr Hunter has been driving coaches in Kapiti for the last eight years but for 40 years prior, most of his working life, he drove trucks. ?I really enjoy the change, it suits me. I enjoy the camaraderie. It?s a lot easier, my kind of job,? he says. He decided on the change to buses as he wanted to avoid the dust and the dirt and the long haul drives as he was often away overnight from his family. Graeme is understated about his chances in the competition. ?I don?t have any big goals I just hope to get something out of the experience.? Graeme drives two shifts around Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Otaki, and sometimes into Wellington on a typical working day. This is the third national event since the inaugural Tranzqual Bus Roadeo was held in 2007. This year?s event is being hosted by NZ Bus, with support from the Bus and Coach Association. Last year?s winner, Ian Anderson from Go Bus in Hamilton, will be defending his title of Bus Driver of the Year. Bus roadeos originated in the United States more than 40 years ago. Roadeos were created as a way to challenge drivers to keep their skills current, to encourage continued mastery of equipment operation and to set an example for the best safety practices and customer service. Australia held its first event in 1991, and a team from Red Bus Christchurch were the first New Zealanders to compete in the Australian National Bus Roadeo in 2006.
