Three school bus drivers with Chinook's Edge School Division took the top spots at the Central Alberta Bus Road-eo held May 25.
About 30 drivers took part in the annual competition hosted this year by Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School.
Eleven drivers from Chinook's Edge competed against drivers from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Wolf Creek Public Schools and Prairie Bus Lines.
Kelly Frere, Chinook's Edge lead trainer, came in first, followed by Melissa Brodeur, a trainer for the division who drives a bus route in Carstairs. Third place went to Samantha Smith, also a trainer and Cremona bus driver.
“We’re proud of our top finishers and all of our bus drivers who participated. Thanks to each driver’s commitment to getting our students to school safely," said Corinne Varga, transportation director with Chinook’s Edge, in a statement.
She said the event is fun and is meant to challenge each driver to refine their skills.
Tests during the event included the railroad crossing, diminishing clearance, back-up stall and offset alley.
The three winners from Chinook's Edge will now compete at the provincial Bus Road-eo in Nisku on June 8.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, two winners from the provincial competition will head to an international competition in Austin, Texas.
